F 74 
.N94 H6 
Copy 1 



FALSE IMPRISONMENT 



OF 



ELIZABETH R. ItLt 



BY 



wsr^:-' 



i}i^aJSi^ 



REV. GABRIEL H. DE BEVOISE, 



AND THE SELECTMEN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD, MASS. 



JAN. 5, 1878, 



AND INCIDENTS RESULTING THEREFROM TO 



FEB. 15, 1881. 





Glass. 
Book. 



: \. 



ERRATA. 



Page 7, 4th line from bottom, for " July or August" read "July 
and August." 

Page 21, obituary notice, 12th line, after "19 days" insert 
'■ daughter of Josiah Whiting." 

Page 3(5, I8th line, for 'straws" read "thrall." 

Page 30, 9th line, for " 1878 " read " 1879/' 

Page 'SI, 17th line, after " recourse " insfert * * * 

Page 33, otli line under heading "Thoughts," for "means" read 
" leaves." 

Page 49, 3d line from bottom, for "January" read " March." 

Page 79, 20th line, for " species " read "specie." 



FALSE IMPRISONMENT '^l 



OF 



ELIZABETH R. HILL 



BY 



REV. GABRIEL H. DE BEVOISE, 

A]!^D THE SELECTMEN OF NORTH BROOKFIELD, MASS., 

JAN. 5, 1878, 

AND INCIDENTS RESULTING THEREFROM TO 

FEB. 15, 1881. 







^^■^1 \ 



Entered according to Act of Congress, on the 24th day of May, in Vie 
year 1S81, by 
ELIZABETH R. HILL, - '- 
in the Oflfice of the Librarian of Congress, at Wasjiingtou. 






k 



PREFACE. 

To protest in action against wrong and injustice- 
done to any class or individual is not only a right- 
ful instinct, but is ofttimes a sacred inspiration. 
And this spirit, this inspiration, should work largely 
in the minds of all liberal, truth-loving, and law- 
abiding citizens. Every good man and good woman 
should do all they can to arouse an agitation against 
unconstitutional, unrighteous acts which afford 
pretexts for persecution. United States should be 
too free a country for its courts, in the nineteenth 
century, through machination to imprison a lady 
to screen violators of Statute Law from legal 
investigation. 



SUPPLEMENT 

TO SKETCFIES AND INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF 
ELIZABETH R. HILL, OF NORTH BROOK- 
FIELD, MASS., HER BIRTHPLACE AND 
THAT OF HER FATHERS. 

Above said book was complete and ready for delivery to the 
public from the binder on the 29th of December, 1877, which 
had been somewhat detained on account of my sickness, as I 
alone wrote and directed everything about said book. I hast- 
ened home January 4th, 1878. Through drenching rain and in 
the baggage wagon I leave 62 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, 
for Fulton Ferry, thence to Pier 40, where I am ticketed to 
Worcester, Mass.; said city I reached 5th inst., 8 o'clock A. M., 
the train being an hour late from New York. 

In that great Union Depot at Worcester, Mass., I buy my 
railroad ticket for North Brookfield, rechecking and forward- 
ing my trunks to said native place. I then walked up to Main 
street, Worcester City, to District Attorney Staples' law office, 
to see and learn what of my law cases (which are referred to 
in my book) pending in Worcester, Mass., courts, from w^hich 
by letter or telegram I had been utterly unable to get any in- 
formation. 

On entering said District Attorney's office, bowing, I said : 
"District Attorney Staples, I have come in to see how my legal 
cases, pending in your courts, stand, that I may be able to have 
them legally adjudicated the earliest time, which I have tele- 
graphed and written to you and F. T. Blackmer, Esq., but have 
never received one word in i-eply." 

Attorney Staples—" This is Mrs. Hill, is it ? Mrs. Hill, you 
must leave my office this minute, or I shall have you arrested.'* 

I said, " What meaneth it ?" (Only witness present was 
Adin Thayer, now Probate Judge, whom I knew well, since 
my legal association with Gen. Chas. Devens and Hon. Geo, F. 
Hoar, 1859.) 



Attorney Staples rei:>eats — " Mrs. Hill, leave my office at once, 
or you will be arrested.'''' 

I quietly replied — "You can arrest me as soon as you please. 
I am neither a criminal nor a violator of statute law, and wish 
in no place or position to evade its legal rights." 

District Attorney Staples — "I believe you, Mrs. Hill, but I, 
an officer, am obliged thus to address you ; good morning," &c, 

I then went to Whalen, monument dealer, whose men had 
erected my monument on the 2 2d of September, 1877, trimming 
off branches of an old walnut tree standing upon the grave lot 
of Gabriel H. De Bevoise (called Rev.), causing said Gabriel 
to maliciously and vindictively seek my imprisonment for 
the trimming off said old bi'nnches. 

The young man was present who trimmed said tree, &c., as 
he told me, I had a right. And my complaint as a nuisance had 
been given to said Gabriel, and also to the cemetery committee, 
within the past twenty-four hours. Said monument man was 
summoned to North Brookfield, September 29th, 1877, 10 
o'clock A. M., to appear before Chas. E. Jenks, Trial Justice, 
as witness of the trimming of the old walnut tree 
branches. They did not recognize the black man who aided 
him, said justice having received two hours previous a telegram 
from me stating where I was, &c. Said telegram I sent to 
prevent their searching my house, &c. I had not had any war- 
rant served on me, but told I was to have, &c. The town had 
employed counsel (Geo. F. Yerry), a lawyer known by repute as 
follows in words of Freeman Walker. Yerry, counsel, was con- 
clusive proof of the disrepute of the case. Said counsel 
arrived ; Town Hall filled, and no victim for the Rev. De Be- 
voise mob to gloat on. The plaintiffs were wrathful beyond 
words at my absence. Remember, reader, no warrant had been 
served on or shown me. Neither had I done anything to cause 
such a disgraceful scene or act. My monument man said he 
believed, by some of those men, from what they said, could 
they have reached me, I should have been killed. 

And this illegal, outrageous, demoralizing scene was brought 
about by the malicious aid of Gabriel H. De Bevoise, who has 
preached, as they affirm, the doctrine of Christ, for the sum of 
11,800 a year, in their midst ; and that act and scene of Gabriel 
would disgrace the blackest character of any State-prison con- 



"V'ict. Gabriel showed himself unscrupulous and relentless, 
subjecting me to great loss and expense, most cruelly disgrac. 
ing, and unjustly sent to jail. 

When it is realized by this merciless persecution the amount 
of deception, subterfuge, intrigue, falsehood, and even perjury, 
to procui'e my arrest and imprisonment, it will be more than 
enough to neutralize all the good that has ever been performed 
from that source. 

Report had it at all corners of the street, said notable day, 
September 29th, at the disappointment of not having the farce 
court, without warrant, without cause, to publicly blackmail 
E. R. Hill, all manner of aspersions were floating as to my 
whereabouts and my smartness, and that the R. R. De Bevoise 
crew were wreaking with vengeance ! John B. Dewing, one of 
the selectmen, said, "We'll have the laugh last." The crowd 
went in all directions, when, lo ! Mrs. Hill's barn is on fire, to 
which the mob rush with glee, and sa}^, " I hope to God every- 
thing will be burned to the ground. She's 'round somewhere — '' 
[The talk is too black, too damnable for repetition]. Said 
mob were determined the fire should not be put out. The fire- 
men with the engines and hose could not find water in a reser- 
voir not five rods from said barn, said reservoir being 20 feet 
aci'oss and 30 feet deep, and part property of my own. The 
next morning, by actual measui-ement, there was water 15 feet 
deep in that reservoir. The firemen went some 50 rods west of 
my residence to another large public reservoir, and, lo ! they 
could not get the hose together right. Reader, do j'ou under- 
stand ? But the fire extinguisher was worked by one Dennis 
Cunningham, who, in open violation of orders from some fire 
officials, played upon the house and barn so effectively, by his 
rigid determination that the house should not be burned, and 
thus, by his excessive efforts, was the instrument of Almighty 
God in saving my dwelling house. And ray prayer will ever be 
to God to repay him more than men can bestow for such an act 
of duty and justice while surrounded by an infuriated R. R. De 
Bevoise mob. I had, previous to putting in of five or more 
tons of hay in July or August, repaired said barn and secured 
valuable property therein for a few weeks, &c. My hay and 
valuables were not insured. Nor the rest, one-tenth my loss. 
Robert Morse, who had been in my employ in getting my hay. 



&G., watched that night at its ruins. He said lie never felt so 
1):k1 in his life, nor so lonesome, as if the wicted alone ruled. 
Trial Justice C. E. Jenks, who obtained his position with two re- 
commendations, had that farce called court of mastery referred to 
Grand Jury, as I was informed, afterwards, to meet in October, 
&c. How on earth could he turn over a case to Grand Jury as 
" Capias " when no warrant had been served on me ? Neither 
had I committed any act under heaven whereby the mob had a 
right thus to arraign my name, &c. Had my monument man 
been (the one who cut the branches so they could not despoil 
my 8175 monument by breaking the urn, or its blacking stain, 
which no method has yet been devised by which said stain can 
be removed), or had that warrant served on him, I, E. R. 
Hill, would have defended him in its every issue. But no ; 
they must bring me into public disgrace by fair or foul means. 
My position of truth, law, statute rights, which I could step by 
step bring those railroad directors, into public investigation, in 
the words of District Attorney Staples to Mrs. Charles Kittredge, 
" Mrs. Hill has joined those directors in every point wherein 
they have not l)ecn in accordance with law, and she can punish 
them. Those readers who have not read my first book will 
hardly understand this railroad controversy on my part, &c. 

The railroad route was marked out; the straight course would 
not have injured my land but very little, cutting off a small 
south-east corner of my land in my lower mowing, and could 
not have required the building up of a hill in the highway, 
separating my land, &c. But said route would injure some 
men not any more than I, but they were directors, and could 
have sioay. I told the surveyors if they took the straightest 
route through my land I would give all the land taken in my 
lower mowing, and the corner cut-off. He said he should advise 
it done, though a longer fill and cut would be required through 
Kimball's and my sister's and Dr.'s land. But they found the 
worthless swamp of Kimball most expensive, more than the 
cut and fill would have been had they taken the straight route. 

I objected to Warren Tyler, my brother, John Hill, my 
brother by marriage. Freeman Walker, an enemy, who were 
three of the twelve appraisers on the land, five of said twelve 
being special appraisers. I wrote those men to withdraw their 
names from appraising my land, as they could not be impartial. 



Also wrote to President and Secretary of said railroad cora- 
pany being formed to give me three men out of their twelve, 
in place of Tyler, Hill and Walker, to appraise ray land, and 
I would abide their decision. Said twelve men gave no notice. 
I called on them, and verbally and with another letter, praying 
for three other men, their own choice, in place of the three 
objected to. They peremptorily refused. I then called for 
county commissions, and forbade in court their entering my 
land till appraised as the law direct?. This, too, they ignored. 

They proceeded to take my land, cut off my drive-ways, 
filled up the highway, built railroad bed and laid sleepers 
through my land before those County Commissioners sent one 
word where they might pass over highway, &c. But came, 
after all the highway was crossed, built up seven feet high, and, 
of course, they said all right ! They drew their salary just 
the same as though they had complied with statute require- 
ments. Bat, woe to the individual who dares expose their 
actions, &c. Thus you will readily see the necessity of 
getting up a breeze, and sto^:) Mrs. Hill from exposing their 
non-compliance with statute law. 

In 1G36 the inquisitors gave notice to Williams he must go 
back to England or they should ship him. The inquisitors of 
1877 give no notice. 

No other cause under heaven but the above parties arranged 
the taking me off my own land, without warrant or cause, and 
put me in the vile lock-up. That act was and is a disgrace to 
every man and woman in that town, and if there is a God He will 
yet avenge it. Oh, think, that mock trial and fine, with no one 
but the perjurer. Both well, who fabricated his testimony against 
me. I appealed from that inhuman decision, and my bonds were 
my brother Moses and John McCombs. I left North Brookfield 
September 27th, on being informed Warren Tyler was going 
to imprison me in the morning — which will be referred to 
again. The 29th I was in Brooklyn writing my book when 
the farce court was being held and the mob burned my barn. I 
personally telegraphed from Westminster Hotel, New York, to 
said Jenks that fatal day. They were far more inhuman than 
the man who pets a woman and then kills her. But Massa- 
chusetts clings to such men with tenacity — such as Bothwell, 
Hebard, Warren Tyler, Jesse Poraeroy, Stearns K Abbott, 
and many others of that peculiar character. 



10 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, ) 
Worcester, ss. : ) 

At tlie Superior Court liegun and holden at Worcester, within 
and for the County of Worcester, on the third Monday of Octo- 
ber, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and 
seventy-seven : 

The jurors for the Commonwealth aforesaid, on their oath, 
present : That Elizabeth R. Hill, of North Brookfield, in said 
county, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year 
eighteen hundred and seventy-seven, at North Brookfield, in 
said county, did wilfully cut, break, mutilate, and injure a cer- 
tain tree, not her own, of the value of fifty dollars, of the prop- 
erty of the inhabitants of the town of North Brookfield, in their 
corporate capacity, then and there standing, growing, and being 
within a certain inclosure for the burial of the dead, situated in 
said North Brookfield, called by the name of the Walnut Grove 
Cemetery, said tree then and there in and ujjon a certain burial 
lot within said inclosure, to wit, the burial lot used for burial 
purposes by Gabriel H. DeBevoise, and said inclosure being then 
and there the property of the inhabitants of the town of North 
Brookfield, in their corporate capacity. 

A true bill, Ethan Davis, 

I^orema7i. 

H. B. Staples, 

District Attorney/. 



WORCESTER SUPREME COURT. 
October Term, A. D. 1877. 



303. — Commonwealth 

ClffSt. 

Elizabeth R. Hill. 

Returned by Grand Jury. Filed by order of Court. 
Attest. 

Wm, T. Harlow, 

Ass''t Clerk. 
187. — No def's ar' ar', and pleads Not guilty. 



11 

What shall I say, or what is due to those twelve men [Grand 
Jurj^] in this enliglitened, advanced age of the world, where 
the praises of liberty and justice are prated so loudly? — who are 
so easily influenced against truth, or dragooned by the man 
who had been one of the North Brookfield illegal railroad arbi- 
ters. Also Mr. C. Kittredge, counsel, and caused their unjust 
railroad settlement. Said District Attorney was also counsel for 
J. Duncan and wife, whom I had brought to legal investigation 
in 1871. I won the case, and said District Attorney had the 
case I brought against Duncan dropped through the town's in- 
terference, and his plea for so doing was: "My time ought to be 
in the school-room ; and he, with citizens of North Brookfield, 
were not willing to have another court, etc!" " But Esq. Staples, 
they were willing my name should be blackmailed to give J. 
Duncan chance to get his insurance blanket, and save money to 
Union Congregational Church." O shame ! O Justice, Truth, 
Liberty, how fallen ! 

District Attorney Staples knew every rope and how to pull to 
aid that infuriate R. R. DeBevoise mob ! And that jury— oh, 
shame ! to be so terribly influenced, to indict an educated, law- 
abiding, self-respecting lady a criminal ; blackmail her with a 
crime she never committed, and they knew it ! I never cut, 
broke one stick upon that fifty-year-old walnut tree. My monu- 
ment man did what he said was legal to be done, and no crime 
was committed by the monument-man in his trimmings, lawyers 
aflirm, to save my monument. The branches cut would have 
knocked my urn from that monument, before morning, he said. 
But Staples as well as the railroad mob knew their only recourse 
to stop Mrs. Hill was to set two-legged species of manhood that 
talk instead of bark, to belie and hunt her into jail, as the above 
warrants aflirm. It is an undeniable truth that Massachusetts 
courts need reforming, especially Worcester county judges, who 
have, in my case, sacrificed justice to pander to ring and ermine 
favor. Our judges are simply public servants. They are paid 
with the people's money; they are placed in the position they 
occupy to work for the people ; and they are as amenable to in- 
spection and criticism from their employers and superiors as any 
other class of public servants. 



12 

A true copy of the warrant I was placed in jail on, January Yth, 

1878. 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, ) 

Worcester, ss. : ) 

To the sheriffs of our several counties and their respective depu- 
ties, and to any constable of said Commonwealth, or any 
constables of any to vvn in said Commonwealth, greeting : 
We command you, that immediately, without delay, you take 
the body of Elizabeth R. Hill, of North Brookfield, in said 
county of Worcester, if she be found within your pi-ecinct, and 
her safely keep so that you have her forthwith before our Jus- 
tice of the Superior Court next to be holden at Worcester 
within and for our said county of Worcester, on the third Mon- 
day of January, A.D. 1878, then and there in our said court to 
answer upon an indictment found against her for malicious tres- 
pass in cutting, breaking, and injuring a certain tree of the value 
of fifty dollars, the property of the inhabitants of North Bi'ook- 
field, standing and growing upon a certain inclosure for the 
burial of the dead, on the twenty-second day of September, A. 
D. 1877, at North Brookfield, in our said county of Worcester. 
Hereof fail not to make return of this writ, with your doings 
hereon. 

Witness Lincoln F. Brighara, Esq., at Worcester, the 5th 
day of November, in the year of our Lord one thou- 
sand eight hundred and seventy-seven. 

Wm. T. Harlow, 

Ass''e Clerk, 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, 

Worcester, ss. : 

By virtue of this warrant I have this day taken the body of 

the within-named defendant, and have delivered her into the 

custody of the keeper of the jail in the city of Worcester in the 

county of Worcester, and have left this warrant with the keepe) 

thereof. 

Sylvander Bothwell, 

Constable of 

North Brookfield, 

Mass. 
January 7, A.D. 1878. 



13 

I will give another Grand Jury indictment before the same 
District Attorney Staples, six months from the indictment 
"for the cutting" against lady E. R. Hill. In May, 1876, 
Thomas Kendrick, hotel keeper at Barre, Mass., was arrested 
for selling liquor. Said case was given to the Grand Jury, 
Worcester, Mass. Said Jury Rned T. K. $200 and six months' 
imprisonment. Geo. F. Verry was said T. Kendrick's counsel. 

What of that ? Why, I was told all T. Kendrick had to do 
was to go away a few weeks — till tJiey were cooled off, and 
that ended and settled the fine and imprisonment. 

That's one specimen how they law it in Worcester County 
Courts. But the lady, E. R. Hill, had to be forthwith put into 
jail, and not allowed to pay that marvellous fine of $50 on an 
old walnut tree ; every stick in it would not have brought two 
dollars. Nor she must not have bail ! Reader, can you see 
how the wire pulls ! I will here repeat w^hen Bothwell arrested 
me at the residence of Chas. Kittredge, North Brookfield. 
After the reading of that malicious got up warrant, I asked if 
I could pay the fine therein stated, $50. 

B.— « No !" 

I then said I would give bail. " Mr. Kittredge, will you go 
bail for me ?" 

Kittredge — " Yes. Bothwell says you won't bail." 

I then said : " Is Warren Tyler going to have his sister im- 
prisoned because the monument men trimmed that old tree? 
Bothwell takes hold of my arm and gives me a jerk. I want 
you in jail to-night where the town are longing to get you; 
you will have no bail, no favors from any one." He gives me 
another jerk towards the carriage. The car whistle sounds. 

B.— " There, that train has started ; damn it, you've been 
fussing here ; we all meant you should sleep in jail to-night ; 
damn your prisoner all the same." 

Bothwell, with driver, turns towards North Brookfield vil- 
lage. On the way he says, " You look sick, but not poor; have 
you, or how are your cases against the town ?" I said, "If you 
refer to the railroad suit, the papers are all left in New York 
city." Says Bothwell : " Don't you think it best for you to 
settle that case?" I replied I had, ever from the taking of my 
land for railroad bed, been ready, yes anxious to settle, and get 
legal arbiters from the twelve men, which said railroad com- 



14 

pany have peremptorily refused. My only offer is what ene- 
mies chose to assess." He drives up to Mr. Haston's gate, and 
says, " I will go in and see if Mr. Haston will keep you pris- 
oner for me until Monday morning at 8 o'clock A, M." Mr. 
and Mrs. Haston, and Mrs. Pope, my nearest neighbor, west of 
my residence some twenty rods from my own door. Glad I 
was to get among friends. And all human kindness could do 
in that awful hour was done by those kind friends. And cruel 
indeed it seemed that I could not go to my little sacred cottage 
home. Soon my trunk was brought into Mr. Haston's kitchen. 
I was sick and weary, and could hardly keep my eyes open, as 
I had travelled on boat from New York, and bad not much rest 
the past forty-eight hours. About 9 P. M. Both well comes to 
Mr. Haston's to see if his captive was safe. Oh, reader, can 
you imagine for a moment the disgust of that household at the 
treatment I was receiving ! Sabbath morning, before I was 
out of bed, Bothwell calls to see about his captive again, and 
before bedtime he comes again ! 

Jan. 7, 1878. — Sylvander Bothwell, constable and falsifier in 
his statements against me, called at Erasmus Haston's, with 
carriage to take the captive, E. R. Hill, to jail (whom he had 
under his vicious custody since January 5, 3:30 p. m.) On reach- 
ing the illegal-built railroad depot at North Brookfield, there 
stood Jim Duncan and Chai'les Heberd, both faces radiant with 
glee, with their vile smirk which such known characters alone 
can make. E. R. Hill a captive as if a criminal, and not one 
word or act of my own that merited such contumely. I 
was being held by malefactors to keep their open violation of 
statute law from being investigated — every point as easily proven 
as that two and two make four. Arthur Knight, expressman, was 
not seen even to glance, he looked ashamed as if by instinct. 
Bothwell was in his glory. 

On the train for Worcester jail. — I see Springfield Republican 
has the Bates libel as follows : 

"The T. C. Bates way of representing is well known to all 
who have, in 1874-5-6, heard liis falsifying and misrepresenta- 
tion, as has been thrust into his teeth scores of times in public 
town meetings, Avhich he now rules with full sway. Mrs. E. R. 
Hill, of North Brookfield, w^hois under indictment for disorderly 
conduct, but failed to appear for trial, was arrested again at 
East Brookfield, Saturday." 



15 

Worcester Transcript, Jan. 7, 1878, libels thus: 

"Mrs. E. R. Hill, who is under accusation of incendiarism, 
and who had jumped her bail, was arrested at East Brookfield, 

Saturday." 

Worcester Spy, Jan. 7, 1878, libels thus : 

" Mrs. E. R. Hill, of North Brookfield, who was accused, sev- 
eral weeks ago, of incendiarism in this town, but who disap- 
peared before the time appointed for her examination, leaving 
her bondsmen forlorn, was arrested by Constable Bothwell, at 
East Brookfield, Saturday afternoon, and is not likely to get 
bail again." 

T. C. Bates' ways of stigmatizing exactly ! 

Where, O God of Justice ! art Thou ? Where ? 

The reader sees in the above libels it is stated E. R. Hill is 
under accusation of incendiarism. Report had it that shouts 
were heard from said mob at said fire, "Miss Hill burnt it 
herself." Anotlier: " She's burning this to get up sympathy-." 
And not one man, woman, or child, since September 29, 1877, 
has been found who could tell who gave utterance to the above 
shouts. Mr. Daniel Whiting, neighbor, heard the wicked 
utterances and was aggrieved, working with his might to save 
my house, and his words were to me since, " Mrs. Hill, God 
Himself saved your house. That barn so full burned straight 
toward heaven. No cnndle ever burned a straighter blaze." Others 
in anguish at my loss and persecution said, " God is protecting 
Mrs. Hill in spite of this rabble." 

Such violators of statute laws as are concerned in my false 
imprisonment would restrict the press, the tongue, yes, the 
thoughts of mankind. Those men have taken malignant ven- 
geance on me because I attempt to examine the actions of ser- 
vile courts and their violators of justice and the laws. It is to 
be hoped that the practice of law, especially the wearing of 
the ermine or sitting in the judge's seat, is not inimical to the 
spirit of freedom and true liberty. But it is to be regretted 
that so many who have occupied that position have seemed to 
drink in the spirit of despotism, and, in the name of the law, 
vindictive sentences have thus fallen on E. R. Hill, thouo-h it 
has to be done under false pretences and a base pretext to screen 
violators of law from investigations. I will here relate an in- 



16 

Stance from English history in 1410. The government made a 
decree "that whatsoever they were that should read the 
scriptures in the mother tongue, they should forfeit land, catel, 
body, lif, and godes from their heyrs forever, and so be con- 
demned for heretykes to God, enemies to the crown, and most 
arrant traitors to the land." The next year, in one day, thirty- 
nine persons were first hanged and then burned for thus read- 
ing the scriptures (1 St. Tr., 272). In 1541, Sir Philip Parker, 
knight, of the Shire of Suffolk, in his place in Parliament, had 
the manhood to speak these noble words in behalf of liberty: 
" The cries of the people have come to me ; the voice of the 
whole n-ation tingles in my ears. 'Tis true, I confess, we have 
tormented ourselves with daily troubles and vexations, and 
have been solicitous for the welfare of the commonwealth ; 
but what have we performed ? What have we perfected ? 
Mr. Speaker, excuse my zeal in this case, for my mouth cannot 
imprison what my mind intends to be let out ; neither can my 
tongue conceal what my heart desires to promulgate. Behold 
the Archbishop [Laud], that great incendiary in this kingdom, 
lies now like a fire-brand raked up in the embers. But if he 
ever chances to blaze again I am afraid that what heretofore 
he had but in a spark, he will burn down to the ground in a 
full flame. Wherefore let us begin, for the kingdom is preg- 
nant with expectation on this point. I confess there are many 
more delinquents, for the judges and other knights walk in 
querpo; but they are only thunderbolts forged in Canterbury's 
fire." (2 Pari. Hist., 287.) As a result of Sir Philip's brave 
words, it is recorded that, soon after they were spoken, six of 
those corrupt, tyrannical judges were brought to trial. And 
it is to be hoped that about three centuries later there will be 
found some "Philip'' who will make judges and packed juries 
and railroad companies subservient to statute laws. Such cor- 
rupt, misapplication of the law in imprisoning E. R. Hill, 
poisons the fountain of society. And s.id it is, too, that the 
chances of redress are so far removed from the people. The 
judges in our United States Courts are appointed on some 
political consideration, as a piece of party favoritism, or as a 
compensation for some menial service they have performed. 
They are appointed for life, or virtually so. And however un- 
just may be their rulings and decisions, there is about as much 



17 

chance of effecting their displacement as there would be of 
changing the north pole. 

The mass of men, busy with their honest work, are not 
aware what power is left in the hands of judges, wholly irre- 
sponsible to the people. And few know how often they violate 
the laws which they owlishly pretend to administer. 

On reaching the jail yard within, walking up to jail, Both- 
well turns around before entering the door of the jail, and 
says : " Mrs. Hill, after I get you recorded, if you will say you 
will settle your railroad case I will bail you out and take you 
home with me this P. M." I replied : " The warrant you read 
me committing me to this jail was for maliciously breaking 
and cutting a tree, value $50. And you have refused me bail 
on Saturday, 5th inst. ; and also said I could not pay the fine, 
nor have any favors from any one. This imprisonment Gabriel 
and the town are making a cat's paw to compel me to surrender 
my railroad suit as it may please them to adjust." 

Bothwell then entered me within the presence of one A. 
Earle, and says, " This is Mrs. Hill, prisoner." I said, " Yes, 
prisoner, but not criminal. The criminals are those who are 
sending me into your custody." A. Earle says, " Be careful 
what you say here " A. Earle proceeded to take my name, age, 
height, &c., with evident satisfaction. The matron came to 
aid me into the large sewing room, and as I was about to go up 
stairs, Bothwell repeats, " Mrs. Hill, you better do as I told 
you." I said I was now registered as if a criminal, and here I 
shall stay to await the meeting of the Grand Jury the 21st 
inst., as the warrant directs. I will here interpolate on the 
railroad train down to jail ; there were bonum magnum Nye, 
George C. Lincoln, and it was also said my brother, Warren 
Tyler, who was also chairman of the Selectmen. George Lin- 
coln came to me, taking his glove off and extending his hand 
to me as respectful greeting. I could not have played 
the part of such a hypocrite. G. C. Lincoln was select- 
man and Bonum Nye was our railroad president. B. Nye 
would be thinking and compressing his lips and nodding his 
head, as if administering the severest tongue chastisement. 
Which, notwithstanding, all made a point of ludicrous feelino- 
in my woe. He was rehearsing what to say to me, I guess. 
E. R. Hill in jail, behind bars, the key turned upon said lady. 



18 

and ranked with criminals. But martyrs have thus been treated 
before me. 

Miss Goodwin brought me my food on a plate with a 
cup of tea, and silver knife and fork; also a hread pan 
with pudding and molasses. She smilingly said, " I took this 
along, as if you were to eat with the rest. But they will be 
informed your food will be separate." Some of the six women 
in the other room seemed quite content, but some looked evil, 
and more — there were three about to leave, and it seemed as if 
they had been unjustly detained in Jail. Sheriff Sprague, of 
said jail, came up to see me the second day. He seemed very 
much annoyed at my presence there ; he could not see why 
they had not settled that tree claim. He promised to bring me 
an English poem to read, but was very anxious I should be 
bailed out, as it would look better not to go from jail to court. 
I therefore sent to John Oilman, Samuel Davis, Mr. Cimmons, 
Wm. Blanchard and Albert Marble to call on me. The three 
first named came, also ray brother Moses ; he told me the town, 
who had arrested me, would not let any one bail me out but 
the very ones who put me in. I then wrote to Trial Justice 
Duel, and he came next train, and seemed very glad to see me \ 
but also showed himself in the ring, as he would only say he 
thought my best course to be to give up or settle all those cases 
between myself and others. I told him I sent for him to bail 
me out of jail, on the advice of Sheriff Sprague, and if he 
was not ready to bail me, the reason why was obvious. He 
was somewhat chagrined, I think, at my not being so depressed 
as to surrender all, as Whittlesey did the keys to the North- 
hampton bank robbers. 

My bed Miss Goodwin gave me had cotton pillows and new 
bed blankets, and my bedstead was an old fashioned high-post 
bedstead, with very good mattresses. The air was pure in the- 
room, as it was large enough to seat three or four hundred 
people. 

I wrote for Mr. Hasten and wife to come down and see 
me. Mrs. Haston came. Mr. Haston, from what he overheard, 
he knew they were going to place me somewhere else, and his 
coming would not avail anything. And I guess he was not quite 
ready to be made a sacrifice as those were in 1629, who aided 
any one they sought to condemn. 



19 

January 15th I received a letter from New York. A copy I 

here insert : 

New York, Jan. 14th, 1878. 
Mrs. Hill: 

Proprietor sick, and it is impossible for me to leave. Mrs. 
W. says do not worry. Yours, &c., 

E. D. M. 

The above said letter was mailed at New York January 
14th, 1 P. M., to Mrs. E. R. Hill, Worcester Jail, Worcester, 
Mass. 

Of course all letters are read before given to those addressed. 
Assistant Earle wanted to know what that letter meant. I 
told him he had his right to read, but he could not oblige me 
to interpret. Accordingly he telegraphed to Warren Tyler, 
and W. T.'s wife told Mr. Haston W. T. did not want any- 
thing to do with it. Oh, shame ! Oh, crime of the most fiend- 
ish hue is now brought to light ! 

That letter of E. D. M. caused a great agitation among those 
conspirators ; delay another day was dangerous. They had not 
my papers, nor could they find out where they were. And only 
six days more, and Mrs. E. R. Hill could appear before that 
Grand Jury of the 21st of January, 1878. And that railroad 
De Bcvoise conspiracy, plot, incarcerating, said E. R. Hill in 
jail, must not have a hearing! Those men would be, if law was 
enacted, in the same condition of the Scripture Haman. We 
must dispose of her ; our only recourse now is to get her into a 
lunatic asylum ; that, that alone will clear our reputation. 
Yes, this will give us a covering for every theft, blasphemy, per- 
jury, seduction, fornication, free-loveism, comonism. Yes, 
every violation of statute law — justice, truth, mercy. This is a 
prime idea ; it must be carried out ; yes, this carried out, will 
fix E. R. Hill, so we can have no more fear of her bringing us to 
statute investigation for the above-mentioned specifications. 
This new plot will end E. R. Hill sure. The jail warden tele- 
graphs to Warren Tyler ; he comes ; brings into jail the free- 
love confederate, Oramel Martin, and calls for his sister, E. R. 
Hill, and with a quid of tobacco under his tongue, says: "Well, 
I come down to see if you want me to bail you out." Mrs. 
Hill: " No, sir. You have aided Gabriel De Bevoise in putting 
me in this jail, as if a criminal — you cannot bail me out.'' Free- 



20 

love Oramel Martin then says: " Won't you let me bail you out ?" 
Mrs. H.: "No ; I told you, sir, for your assault upon my person 
at the time of my law suit vs. J. Duncan and wife, 1871, never 
dare to speak to me again. And you dare, sir, thus to insult me in 
this my time of cajDtivity ! •' Mrs. Haston, neighbor, wlio lives 
within forty I'ods of my residence, was at this time calling on 
me, and had brought me a change of flannels from my home. 
Mrs. Haston was repeatedly asked how I appeared (as she 
has since informed me). She said: "As calm and natural as she 
ever saw me in her life." 

But, reade*-, the transfer warrant was made out by those men 
or conspirators, January 15th, as you will see ; and the IGth, 
those men, after the pai:)ers were made out, came and asked me 
to have them bail me out that I might go home. I saw, reader, 
the moment my eyes rested on those men, a new j^lot was to be 
figured. 

These men did not lure by their false pretext, and neither had 
they the first thought of bailing me out. For in less than one 
hour from their coming into jail, E. R. Hill was going with two 
ofiicers as charged in this most terrible of all perjury warrant in 
Hack to that Stone Ark Lunatic Hell. And I will say here, for 
fear I may pass it over, that was I, and could I speak, my last 
breath would be that such a crazy ark (which holds so many fear- 
fully lost species of humanity) ought not to have foundation on 
earth. And no cottage ought to have over one dozen crazy 
inmates, and those ought to have capable physicians and 
nurses, not the weak, simple-minded M.D. and nurses 
who are not capable of supporting themselves only in this 
modern way. Overturn, and overturn, Almighty God, till such 
places are exterminated from the earth. Back to Jubilant T. C. 
Bates, Tyler, Martin, Nye Bacheller, "War Ofiicers and Judges. 
Reporting and rejoicing on that 21st day of January, on the 
reading of the cases to be brought before that Grand Jury and 
District Attorney Staples, when reaching that marvelous, mali- 
cious, Gabriel DeBevoise Commonwealth vs. Elizabeth R. Hill, 
for " tree cutting." Of course there was a devil, legal lackey, 
ready from the jjlotting plaintiffs to yell. Defendant is in Lu- 
natic Asylum. Is not that — one of the most terrible of crimes — 
left so long unjiunished, enough to shake 'the strongest faith in 
belief of a God ? I say yes, yes. But, oh, I still cling to Him, 



21 

that Thou wilt, in Thine own time ancl way, bring those men to 
swift retribution. Thou knowest, Almighty God, no savage In- 
dian ever held up the scalp of a white victim with more fiendish 
exultation, vindictive hatred, and malicious revenge than those 
above referred to men have manifested towards E. R. Hill, be- 
cause said. E R. II. questions these men in robbing her of her 
land in violation of the statute. I was not allowed disinterested, 
api^raisers. The County Commissioners did not comply with the 
statutes. Neither had the town of North Brookfield, Mass., any 
right to sink a debt upon the town on the 20th January, 1875 — 
5 per cent, of her valuation. When in two da3's more said town 
could not be taxed but 3 per cent, of her valuation. 

Remember, reader, the money was to be borrowed and. all 
contracts for that debt was to be executed after the 3 per 
cent, law was statute. And thrusting E. R. Hill in a lock-up 
xcithout cause and without warrant, and let out for two days 
from said lock-up before they held their farce court, and then 
their point was illegal, a Lie. 



That my readers maj' realize somewhat the fearful perjury of those men in the 
following- warrant, I will state my last born twin babes died in March, 1859. . . . 
I commenced school-teaching- Aug-ust, 1859, and continued to teach public and private 
school until September, 1877, in that time instructing- over two thousand scholars 
(and called most efficient teacher), and was then stopped only by the mahcious plot 
of those R. R. men who caused me, for to keep my liberty, lo leave my sacred home, 
8 P.M., September 27, 1877. Their plot being- to impi-ison me and thus prevent the 
contesting of my R. R. suit, which is herein stated, those men being R. R. defendants 
And in no time, or place, or sickness, was I ever demented. Also I wrote obituaries 
and was newspaper correspondent for the public, and the following my last obituary: 

Died, September 20, 1880, of typhoid fever, Lila B. Whiting, aged 23 years 10 
months 19 days. 

Who can describe the desolation of a home, that unutterable sense of loss which 
fills our hearts at this sudden death of Miss Whiting, in whose person and character 
was blended all that was lovely and beautiful. Miss Whiting attended church as 
usual on the 13th inst., where her harp-like voice has been heard in the choir for a 
number of years. And her open ingenuous countenance was ever radiant with 
truth's holj' light. But how like a dream it comes to us on the 19th inst.! The dew 
of death is on her brow ! And before the rising of another sun death lies on her, 
like an untimely frost upon the choicest flower of all the field. When told she had 
but a few hours to live, she was surprised, and said she had a happy life, and every 
thing- to live for, and would like to live ; but God's will be done. She leaves a father 
and two brothers— her mother died December, 1875, and she has since had charge of 
her father's house, making her home the type of loveliness and purity, all of the 
worksthat beautify woman. Teach us to bear Thy chastening wrath, O God! To 
kiss -with quivering lips, to humbly kiss Thy rod. On the cold cheek of death beauty 
and roses are blended, and beauty immortal awakes from the tomb. 

ELIZABETH R. HILL, Sept. 23, 1880. 



22 

[Copt.] 

ELIZABETH R. HILL. 

Warrant of Commitment to Worcester Lunatic Hospital. 

Jan. 15, A.D. 1878. 
North BROOKriELD, Mass. 

(The original is to be left at the Hospital, and a copy thereof and the return thereon 
" delivered to the Judge who issued it, lor allowance of fees.) 

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

Worcester, ss. 

To the Sheriff of our County of Worcester, his 
Deputies, the Constables of Worcester, in said 
County, or Oramel Martin, of Worcester, in said 
County, and to the Superintendent of the Wor- 
cester Lunatic Hospital, 

Greeting : 

Whereas, it hath been made to appear to me, Henry Chapin, 
Judge of the Probate Court for the said County of Worcester, 
after a full hearing in the matter, that Elizabeth R. Hill, of 
North Brookfield, in said county, is an insane person, and a 
proper subject for the treatment and custody of said institution. 
These are, therefore, in the name of the Commonwealth of Mas- 
sachusetts, to command you, the said Sheriff, Deputies, Consta- 
bles, Oramel Martin, and each of you, forthwith to take the said 
lunatic, to carry her to the Worcester Lunatic Hospital, afore- 
said, and to deliver her to the Superintendent thereof, together 
with this precept. And you, the said Superintendent, are hereby 
commanded to receive the said lunatic into said Hospital, and 
her therein to detain until she shall be discharged therefrom in 
due course of law. 

Given under my hand this sixteenth day of January, in the 
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy- 
eight. 

Henry Chapin, 

Judge of Probate Court. 



23 

WoECESTEE, ss. January 16, 1S18. 

I hereby certify that the above-named Elizabeth R. Hill, is 
now resident in North Brookfield, in the County of Worcester. 

Henry Chapust, 

Judge of Probate Court, 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

Worcester, ss. 

In obedience to the foregoing warrant, I have taken and deliv- 
ered the within named Elizabeth R. Hill to the Superintendent 
of the Worcester Lunatic Hospital, together with this warrant 
and the annexed statement of particulars concerning her. 

I certify that the extra charge on this warrant was actually and 
necessarily incurred and disbursed, and is reasonable. 

Jas. M. Drennan, 

Deputy Sheriff. 
Fees — Service, 
Travel, 
Copy, 

WOECESTER, SS. A. D. 187 

Personally appeared 
and made oath that the foregoing statement, by him subscribed, 
is true. 

Before me, 

Justice of the Peace. 

Names of Physicians. 

Oeamel Maetin, 

Worcestsr. 

Waeeen Tyler, 

J^orth Brookfield. 



24 

(Copy of Statement filed by Applicant.) 

To the Honorable Judge of the Probate Court in and for the 
County of Worcester: 

The subscriber, baving made application to your Honor for the 
commitment of Elizabeih R. Hill to the Worcester Lunatic 
Hospital as a lunatic, now presents the following statement iu 
answer to interrogatories : 

What is the age of the lunatic? Ans. About forty-eight years. 

Birthplace? Ans. North Brookfield. 

Married? Ans. Widow. 

Occupation? Ans. School Teacher. 

Supposed cause of disease? Ans. Family troubles. 

Duration? Ans. Twenty years. 

Character — whether mild, violent, or dangerous? Ans. Dan- 
gerous. 

Homicidal or suicidal? Ans. Homicidal. 

Paralytic or epileptic? Ans. No. 

Previous existence of insanity in the lunatic? Ans. No. 

Previous or present insanity in any of the family? Ans. No. 

Habits in regard to temperance? Ans. Temperate. 

Whether she has been in any lunatic hosjDital ; if so, what 
one, when, and how long? Ans. No. 

(If a woman.) 

Has she ever borne any children? Ans. Yes. 
How long since the birth of her last child? Ans. Twenty- 
eight years. 

Name and Post Office address of some one of the nearest rela- 
tives or friends? Ans, Erasmus Haston, North Brookfield. 

What facts show whether she has or has not a settlement, and 
where, if anywhere in this State? Ans. North Brookfield; and 
has owned property, and paid taxes there. 

(For the law relating to settlement, see Gen. Stat., chap. 69. 

Supplement to Gen Stat., 1868, chap 338. 

do. do. 1870, '• 392. 

do. do. 1871, " 379. 

do. do. 1814, " 274.) 

Bro. De. Warren Tyler, No. Brookfield. 

Copy — Attest, 

Oramel Martin, 

A2)2Mcant. 
Henry Chapin, 

Judge. 



25 



SKETCHES AND THOUGHTS IN THE LIFE OF 
ELIZABETH R. HILL. 

WRITTEN BEHIND LUNATIC BARS AND BOLTS IN WORCESTER, MASS. 

January, 1878. 
E. R. Hill has been indicted by North Brookfield railroad. 
De Bevoise mob blackmailed me through all papers ; fired my 
buildings ; and when I returned from New York, January 5, 
1878, to meet each and every charge of said mob, as the statutes 
direct, said mob, ere I could reach my home, I was placed in jail 
on a capias warrant, issued by Gabriel 11. De Bevoise, through 
the catspaw, the Town (North Brookfield, Mass.), said warrant 
being defective, as said E. R. Hill had never been arrested on 
said warrant before said E. R. demanded release from said jail 
because of said defect in said warrant. Sheriff Sprague, of said 
jail, and Court, seeing their net had caught said mob in its 
meshes, therefore said body, as their only recourse, turned said 
prosecution, by the perjury of Oramel Martin and Warren Tyler 
and said sheriff, by statute chicanery into persecution, and by 
said chicanery caused said E. R. Hill to be transferred to the 
Stone-Ark lunatic asylum in Worcester, Mass., thus hoping 
through a machination to end or crush out the life of said E. R. 
Hill, and thus prevent investigation of their violation of the stat- 
utes in firing my buildings, in their press blackmail, the De Be- 
voise plot and intrigue to aid the North Brookfield railroad mob 
out, if possible, of this fearful imprisonment, illegal offences 
fully set forth in my book issued Dec. 29, 1877 (Sketches and 
Incidents in the Life of E. R. Hill), thus showing said Gabriel 
to be ten times more a child of hell than the rest of said mob ! 
Turnkey Wilson of said jail and said Masons had two news- 
paper reporters to witness this crime, and two other men. Thus 
I was viewed in jail by four tool-men, hoping to gather some 
newspaper-hell report. The awful look-devil, indeed, of said 
Wilson ; the taunt of A. Earle in his jubilant good-bye made 
an impress as with a red-hot iron on my educated, sensitive mind. 
Miss Goodwin, matron, had a tear of surprised sympathy in her 
eyes, and the Irish woman in jail for some trivial offence stood 
aghast with dismay, saying, " Why, how awful !" when said E. 



26 

R. Hill told them, instead of going to my home, I was being 
sent to an insane asylum. " Oh, oh, oh !" they all exclaimed ; 
and my dismay was unbounded. 

At this hospital, second day, Drs. Eastman and Quimby came 
into my room. 1 tried to tell them v/hy I was here, etc. East- 
man said I had been sent by the Court here as insane, and they 
were to find out so and so. 

Then a ray of hope shot into my dismayed soul, perchance a 
buman spark of truth might i*est in them that plot nor money 
could not buy. Thus time has worn on till that hope has sunk 
to despair. I am fully convinced I am sold as much as ever Jo- 
seph, or Christ, or John Brown, John Rogers, or Abraham Lin- 
coln was given up as martyrs for reform. But, O God, let this 
cup pass if it can be Thy holy will, and return me to my loved 
sacred home and that of my fathers. Thou knowest me alto- 
gether. Thou knowest I love and fear Thee, and hast ever kept 
Thy commandments. Thou Deity, who boldest all within Thy 
mighty fists, I pray Thee break said mob's straws and melt 
away their mists ! 

ELIZABETH R. HILL. 



THOUGHTS. 

January, 1878. 

I HAVE to endure, because in this prison I am powerless to 
have things otherwise. 

Oh, could I secure an atmosphere of quiet from this maniac 
rabble ! it is more torturing than a scorpion's whip ! 



WoECESTEE Hospital, Feb. 1, 1878. 
Mrs. , N. Y. City : 

Dear Friend — I wrote you from jail, and duly received reply. 

Was arrested on Saturday, 5th ult., and jailed 7th ult. Mr. 
Haston, my neighbor, said I should be home in the afternoon, 
as we understood the reading of the warrant ; but the railroad, 
De Bevoise plot made a net for me like the " Haman gallows." 
I hojje you will clearly see how my name is blackmailed in the 
^py and other Massachusetts periodicals. Monday, 7th ult., 
nj'ice the tipy how it uses ray name, read it. The bonds there 



spoken of were the bonds given Sept. 14. Said case I telegraphed 
to Staples, October 8; also wrote Staples two letters. You also 
remember about my telegram and letters to F. T. Blackmer, 
Esq., and my joy on seeing bini on Broadway, Nov. 1877 — his 
promise to inform me and put over my law cases if they could 
be, etc. You cannot fail to see the plot of the rings to cover 
their malpractices of the statutes. 

I did not tell in New York my brother (Dr. Tyler) had never, 
with his wife, been into my house since my father's death, 1864. 

Fifty would count every word and bow of his wife to me. A 
most common-brained woman, of very poor birth. The doctor 
has not spoken to me or nodded since my ball-club sickness, 1872, 
when he wished me to sue the town for damages, and I would 
not. Half a dozen nods and words every word he has spoken. 
But, on the 16th ulto., he with his confederate, the vile perjurer, 
free-lover, spiritualist, low-mouthed Oramel Martin, came and 
called for me in jail, asked me if I wanted bail. I replied, not 
from them, telling them the defect in the warrant, and demand- 
ing my release from my imprisonment. They, in less than five 
minutes, left, and in a short time I was sent for on the warrant 
of transfer to this maniac dwelling ! I was horror-stricken, and 
to the outrage I submitted as quietly as my temperament would 
permit, I guess. Oh, tongue nor pen can describe the terrible, 
the cutting disgust and mortification to be sent here and treated 
as if insane! But, oh, God's arms are underneath, sustaining 
me in this awful trial ! But, oh, how long, how long ! 

The ten dollars you loaned me to have been paid Jan. 19, or 
before, would have been paid as I wrote you in my letter at 
jail, after Jan. 21, the soonest time, had it not been for this 
transfer. But you will see the die-cutter and the man I owe 
$47.50, and tell him I trust in God's time, not mine, he will have 
every cent from me. Let him read tliis letter. And I pray God 
if I live to be released from this false imprisonment, I shall find 
that the parties who hold my valuable collaterals, though the 
time — one week — expires, and I am prison-bound and cannot 
redeem — which the parties must know — my trunk, my house, 
my all, except what is in New York, are in the hands of the rail- 
road, De Bevoise mob ! Tell them never to give up one 
paper unless I call for them personally ; if I do not, to carry 
out to the fullest extent of the law, and spread the wrongs and 



28 

outrage sel forth in my books, and all they can gather, as before 
promise!. This malpractice of law, the criminal proceedings 
against me, to cover the North Brookfield mob crimes, and their 
determination not to let me vindicate one point they blackmail 
me with exceeds any brutality or violation of the statutes ever 
known upon record. My eye of faith dims constantly — that 
ever I shall be released. That Massachusetts, Worcester county, I 
believe in my heart, is, and will prove herself, capable as enactor 
of the most savage abuses and blackmail of any place upon the 
western continent! 

I think George F. Hoar, who has become one of the Women 
Suffragists, would do well to look at his Worcester home, and 
see and know the brutality, the incendiarism, the perjury of the 
men and the women who uphold and give, or aid in giving, him 
his Senatorship. I once respected him ; but his new issue — 
Women Suffragists, his modern consequence, his vote for Presi- 
dent, lowers him in my eyes. I think he had better study the 
crimes of his crew, who are and have taken my liberty, my hard 
earnings from me. But I believe he would not have the viola- 
tions of the statutes of the Worcester Superior Court investi- 
gated, nor my false imprisonment made known to Washington, 
were it to save my life. 

The doctors must know I am not insane ; and, if they can be 
bought with a price, I shall have to die here. Come and see. 

E. R. HILL. 

Worcester TIospital, Feb. 4th, 1878. 

Mrs. . — I herewith send you a true coi:)y of a letter I 

wrote the 3d inst. to the Trustees, Doctors, &c., of this 
"maniac hell," Thus, if through intrigue, I am kept in this 
terrible , you can know something of me. 

Gentlemen: — As the time nears a close when I must be loser 
of hundreds of dollars by this imprisonment of me (E. R. 
Hill) by my brother, &c. Gentlemen, this Sabbath morn I 
again appeal to you as those who will hear, direct and guide 
me in this my great need. First, do give me a chance to re- 
deem my collaterals that are held redeemable ; time expires 
February 8th, 1878. True I have said, and still say, if I am 
to be squelched here from my own home, so hard earned and 
faithfully kept, every spot sacred with associations ; if I cannot 



29 

have and go to my own home, let it be lost ; there is more left 
than I wish there was. But, gentlemen, you cannot fail to see 
the Court proceeding. My warrant placing me in jail was a 
" Capias." I demanded a release from said place on the ground 
of Sheriff Sprague saying, " said warrant was capias from the 
one my bonds (Moses Tyler) was sued on." I told said Sprague 
the case I was imprisoned on was the De Bevoise tree case, and 
I had never been arrested on that Ijefore (a very un'vise move 
of mine to explain and ask to be released, but my frank nature 
led me here). Sheriff Sprague "was disturbed greatly, and did 
not, could not understand," &c. Gentlemen, if I did wrong in 
demanding release on account of defective warrant, will you 
please find out the truth, and give me a chance to ask forgiv- 
ness if in the wrong! Again, if I was legally imprisoned to 
await the hearing before the Grand Jury the 21st ult., why did 
they not permit me the human statute right to have that hear- 
ing, &c. I am and was, and ever have been, ready to meet said 
case, and, if a violator of the law, to be held amenable to its 
statute requirements. But to be deprived of said right by the 
persecutors and thrust into a " maniac hell," or hospital, exceeds 
any picture I ever read about. Gentlemen, you must know I 
have reason to distrust men, though I may in so doing mis- 
juflge, &c. My brother Moses told me " I had got to be got 
out of jail by those who put me in." Have Worcester courts 
become so corrupt since the war that anarchy reigns to be sati- 
ated on the widow and fatherless to cover their own misapplica- 
tions of the law ? Again, my brother Moses told me " Luther 
De Land told him I fired my buildings.'' [Mrs. Haston says, 
" Don't report anything so foolish."] Is it, sirs, a pass over 
duty to be thus blackmailed hy evil doers or their confederates 
in crime, and have your property destroyed by them ? Am I 
wrong in demanding said Luther be held amenable to statute 
laws for said " blackmail," &c. ? My policy of |165, when col- 
lected, is not one-tenth my loss by that incendinry fire, say 
nothing of the irreparable loss that ever will make the tears 
flow till time is no more. Still add this woe — all I have, my 
hard earnings, and that of my father and mother ; all my 
tokens of the loved lost, I have kept, and never wasted, nor 
wronged any one, are now in custody of my deadly enemies, 
whose sins will be found out in God's time. " When John 



30 

Brown struck the upas branch above our orange bloom, Colum- 
bia's wrath, in avalanche, scoops out his lonely tomb !" Again, 
the terrible blackmail, the compounding of different falsifica- 
tions upon my name, heralded by different papers in this city 
(the place of this maniac hell), that holds the martyr, E. R. 
Hill, captive from eveiything but God — thus giving those cul- 
prits power over innocence and truth. The only way, the only 
chance, to save their plotting intrigue from statute punishment. 
Again, the appealed case of September 14th, 18 7?: Said case 
had a farce trial said day. The only person at said trial crim- 
inating me was the State-prison criminal himself, Bothwell, 
who fabricated the testimony he uttered against me to cover 
their plot, and his savage outrage of law, of humanity, and 
truth. Why did not District Attorney Staples, when tele- 
graphed to to put over my appealed case, October 8, 187 7 
(by E. R. Hill), telegraph back to have me sent home at once, 
&c., or telegraph and find my place of abode, instead of the 
blackmail sent out by the press. My every hour from the 
time I left my abode, Sei^tember 27th, 1877, to January 7th, 
1878, 1 can prove to you or the Court by witnesses of my pres- 
ence. Will you, gentlemen, find out why I cannot have human 
rights and laws tliat Massachusetts brags so much over. Again, 
the Court (Dr. Eastman repeats) says " I am insane." Yes,. 
gentlemen, and it belongs to you without delay to denounce 
that Court proceeding before God and man, and give me my 
right, my liberty; and instruct me what counsel to employ in 
Boston to investigrite why those crimes held up against me 
" ca7^H " be tried as law directs. Will you not, gentlemen, 
investigate and act as you would for yourselves ? Please 
answer each and every issue herein stated. 

When Fremont freed on Western plains 

A few from servile thrall, 
One welded, then, the broken chains, 

Who after broke them all. 

Oh, God, from marshes lone and wild 

Thy rivers seek the sea ; 
So prayers from Thy poor wayward child 
Would find their way to Thee. 

Elizabeth R. Hill. 
This is the nineteenth day in ) 
this terrible j^lace. ' 



31 

Worcester Hospital, Feb. 9tli, 1879. 

Gentlemen : — As there is a pi-ospect of sending you this by- 
some one leaving this maniac hell, I write : Do keep all books 
safe ; box up, and, also, if you have a chance to sell any, do 
so. You must know, ere this, I was thrust here the 16th ult. 
to prevent my having a chance to sue the town N. B. for 
false imprisonment. Will you send one of my books, also the 

copy of warrant and letter, which I have enclosed to Esq. . 

Tell him my case the best you can, for I have no chance to write 
him. You engage him for me to enter a writ for my release 
from this insane retreat. The doctors say they can't send me 
home till the Court pleases, &c. Drs, Tyler and Martin, upon 
three minutes in my presence (because I would not have them 
bail me out of my false imprisonment), appeared before the 
Prolate Court, and told said Judge to transfer me here. 
N. B. De B. were caught in their oavu net by defect in war- 
rant, making this their only recourse. I wish Esq. to write 

me here at once and tell me what course to pursue, if he can 
not attend to it at once. Have him send me his pai'tner in 
business, or whoever he chooses, to aid me from this De Be- 
voise pit. His retainer he can secure. Tell him my fearful 
situation, and that the railroad De Bevoise men mean to squelch 
me for life by this move. But I bear it most heroically, equal 
to " St. Paul," I guess, but it's terrible. Spread this news all 

you can ; tell , of the railroad papers, if you think best. 

But I adjure you never give them, or any of my effects, except 
through my directions ; but do as you would have one do by a 

sister, mother, &c. See if you can. Oh, cannot some of 

you come here and get me out of this prison. Tell the " die 
cutter " about me, and the printers ; tell them not to give uj) 
anything, but keep till I call, or they know I am dead. And I 
pray you all to spread this outrage, which exceeds anything on 
record during the war, before or since. "When John Brown 
struck the upas branch above the orange bloom, Columbia's 
wrath, in avalanche, scooped out his tomb." It's just my case 
with that North Brookfield Railroad De Bevoise mob. And 
then for them to get me again imprisoned illegally made their 
position precarious, even having only a woman alone for de- 
fendant. 

I should like to have my books sent to some of the 



32 

most notable libraries. Can you not find out where to send 
them ; where this terrible wrong can be heralded and shown 
up — Worcester County barbarism. Tell all that know me 
friendly to write or send me a paper. I wish you would send 
some books to the Southern senators, that they may be able to 
confront Hoar with his own city home, worse than any slave's 
brutality, to a widow and orphan. I left a book to l^e sent to 
the Sun office. I hope they have received it. I talk to you as 
if you had nothing to do but see to this affair. A stranger, as 
you are, almost. But, oh, is this not co-equal with the murder 
of Abraham Lincoln and other martyrs? Thus I write, hoping 
all that know me in New York, &c., will unite in spreading 
this outrage, and thus bring also help to release the captive 
prisoner, E. R. Hill. "Would to God my trunk had been left in 
New York. My agony thinking of what is in it ; and my 
house, all in the hands of my deadly enemies. Tiiose who 
would do are afraid to move. Mr. Hasten, my neighbor, 
would be bail, but he is afraid; he has property, and knows how 
mine was destroyed. That Staples referred to did not j^ut over 
my case (book). Blackmer, you will remember, who was going 
to attend to my cases (I met on Broadwaj), from Worcester, 
he> too, did nothing, notwithstanding my letters and telegrams 
to him from New York. Thus you see my condition. Oh, 
may God raise up some one to help. E. R. Hill. 



Feb. 9th, 18Y8. 

Blaine, when complimented by a friend on his handling of 
Hoar and Dawes, replied : " Oh, it's an easy matter to sur- 
prise two old women." 

Thus Hoar is called an old woman by literary men. It is 
amusing to me to see the glances and smirks of men when I 
give Hoar his merited skirt name. I have disliked his new po- 
sition so much, I would not bear him lecture even when rejDort- 
ing for the Press. ..... . The Worces- 

ter papers say the County Commissioners want to borrow 
money to build moi*e court-house room. We have quite too much 
room in the Worcester Court House for the war knaves and 
scoundrels of different jDOsitions. The culprits ignore the statute 
laws and are committing crime that will purse-feed their pockets, 



33 

robbing the widow and fatherless, and snatching from them 
liberty, truth and justice. Once I had respect for Worcester 
courts — before the war. Since the war, Worcester courts 
would disgrace, and do, the people as a State county seat. I 
should no more expect a word of truth or justice from war 
officer courts in Worcester than I should expect to come out 
unburnt if dipped in a kettle of hot lead ; the devil must stand 
aghast, being superseded by said court. The effects of our 
slave-war — placing in office war men, whose only qualification 
was to hunt, kill and rob — has so corrupted us as a nation, that 
iniquity rules vicegerent in Massachusetts, as they have dealt 
with me. Truth is squelched in said Massachusetts more than 
in any other State in the Union, I think. " The Jesse Pomeroy 
State,'' as I heard it called at the Centennial. 

Oh, the number of men and women who are 

brought up to no useful trade or calling is on the increase. 
Thousands of them, with their untrained powers and ignorance, 
find shelter in some nooh hospital, where they may at least 
draw pay, and thus continue to exist. Morally they are pam- 
pered tramps. Worcester has the greatest supply. 

E. R. Hill. 



THOUGHTS. 

Feb. 10. 

Giants' minds are fitted by every circumstance of growth, 
training and habit. Great men's strength and influence are in 
the thoughts they suggest, not in conclusions they demon- 
strate. Demonstration means nothing to be done ; the demon- 
strator carries you with him like a prisoner. Speculation is 
always suggestive; the speculator sends you abroad alone. 
Some minds are powerful generalizers ; their views and reason- 
ings are for us to conclude, if we will, whether right or wrong. 
Other minds are leeches, robbers, stealing the thoughts of the 
giants' minds. Elizabeth R. Hill. 



Worcester Hospital, Feb. 12th, 1878. 
Mrs. Haston: — I was brought into this place, in less than 
two hours after you left me (in jail, 16th). My agony and terror 



34 

were enough to have ended the life of ninety-nine human beings 
out of one hundred. 

I begged them to give me a room where I might not 
hear the talk or see the insane. But oh! my terrible doom! 
My bed a hard excelsior and pillow the same, with four heavy, 
sickening smelling gray blankets. No bedstead, no chair, nor 
glass. The place to sit down was a bench recess in the iron- 
barred window. The heat of the room was terrible. My hope 
of deliverance from this terrible stone prison was gone. The 
heat radiators brought the most loathsome, profane, inco- 
herent yells and shrieks around that could be made by the most 
raven lost minds. Before going to bed, two feeble-minded 
servants took me to a bath-tub, stripped me, looked me over 
(and its my opinion they never viewed a more perfect cleanly 
sweet carcass) with evident satisfaction at their good subject to 
help support this most damnable of places. And I believe in 
the sincerity of my heart there is not a more unknown, devilish 
cavern where people are placed to be got rid of. And nobody 
but weak unfit for anything doctors paid by State, etc., full 
well knowing their unfitness to earn a living but by this popular 
aid way. I was answered back and treated as if insane. Oh! 
how terrible to bear. In the night, the night watch and two 
night-gown attendants came in to my room to look at me. I 
screeched with terror, for I thought them lunatics. I stayed in 
that bed two nights. There had a maniac died on it Saturday 
before my clothes were scented with a sickening stench. I have 
been told it was the rubber sheet. I begged for a cooler room. 
Friday I had the one I have occupied since. I have a three- 
drawer chest, wash-stand, bowl, and pitcher, and low rocking- 
chair. A patient died also in this room not one week before. 
Drs. Eastman and Quiniby came in, and told me as I had been 
sent there as insane, they had got to treat me as such. This 
was Friday, and I remonstrated. They told me explanation 
was useless when you are here. Oh, I see clearly they too were 
Dr. Tyler's confederates. Oh, to eat the same food, so poor ! 
to drink the same drink ; walk the same path ; live under the 
same banner of the insane, indeed, and have a clear understand- 
ing of all your powers, is enough to make me cry in agony 
hourly : My God ! why hast Thou forsaken me ? 

The attendant of this hell is more of a lunatic than half of 



35 

the gossiping, broken-minded women who, in their best estate, 
had but few half talents. She speaks and uses the most ungov- 
ernable temper toward the patients, and is abusive. I have o-iven 
her my mind in her abuse to others, and she hates me with the 
most deadly hatred. The inmates took much interest in me, 
and said what are you here for— you don't look sick ; but Miss 
says I shall not talk to them. She will not allow me to re- 
peat a verse or anything ; they all hate her, but with insane, 
servile fear, obey her. I never saw the person I felt ought to 

be horsewhipped daily more than . A doctor passes through 

usually twice a day, and speaks to the most of them. They 
well know they are locking and keeping a sane woman in cap- 
tivity—for purpose! Oh, it is hard to put up with this insulting 
way they speak to me, I think, purposely to agitate me ! But 
they find me a trump for them. My story will outvie any con- 
vent story ever read by myself, when I can get chance to tell this 
tale of terror, neglect, false pretence of care of those inmates 
who are in need of skillful physicians. 



WoECESTER Hospital, Feb. 12, 1878. 
Trustees and Superintendejjt Worcester Hospital : 

Gentlemen— I again appeal to you to direct and cause Mrs. 
E. R. Hill to be released from this false imprisonment. My 
time is money, and my money and my time have no need nor 
benefit from this institute which malicious designs of wicked 
men have hurled me into. My vigorous constitution has baflled 
with this unhealthy, soul-demoralizing of all places on earth to 
a sensitive, refined, cultivated mind. Four weeks ! long, indeed, 
and quite too long for reasonable investigation, as it seems to 
me. I cannot believe that the statute laws will permit one to 
be thus imprisoned who has, in every place, and situation, and 
calling, proven myself capable of taking care, directing wisely, 
discreetly, and with great frugality, all affairs. And if I can be 
kept longer imprisoned here, when all the above can be proven 
by my associates, the reason why I am kept is evident, and too 
infamous for comment. If Massachusetts laws will permit her 
Worcester county seat thus maliciously to malpractice her stat- 
ute laws, to suppress truth, that the criminal proceedings of 



36 

some of North Brookfield, Mass., citizens may not be investi- 
gated. 

Here I am stopped, as the trustees are just passing my stall. 
I hand this part-written letter to ex-Gov. Lincoln, with a letter 
written to Mr. Daniel Whiting, of North Brooktield, my neigh- 
bor, who lives about forty rods from my residence there. Gov. 
Lincoln forwards them, and Mr. Whiting soon called, bringing 
me some oranges his wife and sisters had sent to me. And for 
that act of kindness — Mr. D. Whiting's own words to me since : 
that he had had great persecution from citizens of North Brook- 
field for that humane act. 

Gov. Lincoln was greatly perplexed and distressed at my un- 
just and false imprisonment, in this terrible place, for a sane, 
sensitive, educated woman ! And he did his utmost to get my 
release, and may the God of Truth give those men rich reward 
yet ! is the prayer of that captive. 

E. R. HILL. 



WoECESTEB Hospital, Feb. 20, 18V8. 
Messrs. Trustees akd Superixtexdent : 

Gentlemen — Not expecting any more notice to-morrow than 
last week from your Honorable Body, and as time is vibrating 
into eternity, and I remain still in this your lunatic asylum — a 
self-evident fact — for the one purpose, to ruin me for time and 
eternity. I am, gentlemen, too well versed in the condition that 
we, as a nation, have sunk, as it were, into general depravity. 
And, sirs, I remain here in this asylum because of some ineffi- 
ciency — weakness where there should be strength. There is 
neither law nor justice, nor moral sentiment, nor an endeavor to 
change this my unfavorable condition. Thus I have and am 
kept in this heated, nervous, struggling state, since Jan. 1, 1878; 
a financial benefit to this asylum since Jan. 16, 1878. My only 
society is persons who come into life not only in disproportion, 
not only unbalanced and unsymmetrical, but positively diseased 
and in depraved condition. I was placed here by men who live 
on the keen edge of ambition, and who are addicted to excesses 
and violations of the statutes of God and man. And as Haman 
made gallows to hang Mordecai, even so were said men likely to 
end had it not been for the Masonic strength now in Worcester 



37 

courts. Their only recourse tbis last resort, sending E. R. Hill 
to your lunatic custody. 

Thus you are crutching said violators of the law from statute 
punishment ! I cannot help thinking, gentlemen, what chance 
is there for reformation in regard to mistakes, if they are not 
known, or made known, to convicts ? I think it the duty of a 
teacher, captain, etc., to inform convicts on what line they sin, 
that they might work out rectification and satisfy the fractured 
law. If the convict is susceptible to elevation and rectification, 
the design of the Creator is to make a unit of him by changing 
the social, civil, and moral condition of said individual, not 
leave them to follow on in their trail of vice and delusion, 
through the ignorance and misconception and superstition of 
men. Every man who marks out a better channel of thought 
for his charge, every teacher who knows how to instruct men 
in better conditions of life, are organizing better conditions of 
manhood. 

And, gentlemen, permit me to say here that Gabriel H. De 
Bevoise has been the great cause of my imprisonment in jail and 
transfer here; to aid the illegal proceedings of some of his parish- 
ioners, from investigation. And, sirs, the institution of organ- 
ized religion, the Church, has caused more bitterness, denuncia- 
tions, strifes, contentions, and persecutions, and shackles, and all 
kinds of oppression than any other organized institution on the 
globe. Had it not been for some fathers and mothers, and 
humble, obscure, out-of-the-way Christians in the world, such 
priests as said Gabriel would have carried the world to the devil 
long ago. Oh, could you know the full facts of the devilish 
proceedings of said Gabriel in plotting, ruling this imprisonment 
of lue, E. R. Hill. And, gentlemen, is there not enough of the 
supernal power of God in your souls to save me from further 
persecution of said Gabriel and his confederates? 

There is poetry and sublimity in the sentences : " He spake, 
and it was done." " He commanded, and it stood fast." That 
being the Divine method, it is, sirs, your prerogative and power 
to give me my liberty and my home which favors excellence, in- 
telligence, virtue, beauty, all things divine, to-day, at this meet- 
ing of your Hon. Body. 

Most respectfully, 

ELIZABETH R. HILL. 



38 

Feb. 22, 1878. 

Mt late brother William Tyler would be 55 years old, if on 
earth. God grant that his purified spirit in the kingdom of 
heaven may descend with his God and rest upon me, his sister 
Elizabeth, in this prison at this time of sacred invocation and 
commemoration of that loved brother's anniversary, together 
with our country's benefactor, George Washington ! And as 
that noble brother, if on earth, would come and set me at liberty, 
give me back to my own well-deserved heritage, even so, O 
God, wilt thou not send a messenger quickly in his place to save 
said Elizabeth from a persecuted death ? 

Were not the first principles laid down by our Revolutionary 
fathers, the nobility of men ? Whatever degrades him — what- 
ever corrupts and injures his moral, intellectual, and physical 
well-being, is inimical to the well-being of society, to the State, 
to the whole country. Has not this country become so absorbed 
in schemes for amassing wealth and power, that their eyes are 
closed to the moral aspects of society ? This moral apathy has 
allowed systems to grow and expand until they are fast becom- 
ing controlling elements in the government. There are elements 
in our society which are fatal to all true progress and true lib- 
erty, thus becoming instruments of barbarism. Who could have 
prophesied that, in Republican America, such atrocities would 
be protected by the strong arm of the law, thus warming the 
serpents into power for evil. Can truth and all we hold sacred 
here be trampled under foot by certain societies to serve party 
purposes, thus making a plague spot in our government ? Oh, 
men in power, be not deceived longer ; take the first step in re- 
form, and restore all pure moral and intellectual humanity to 
social and true liberty, and then protect them even if necessary 
as our fathers protected Bunker Hill a century ago, is the prayer 

of the captive. 

ELIZABETH R. IIH^L. 



Feb. 23. 

Mr. J. Gilman and Abbot called this afternoon. The face of 
some friends in this prison is a comfort; but, O God, direct 
them or some person to take off the chain with which evil men 
have shackled me in this prison almost six weeks without reason 



39 

but their own misdoings, I am daily convinced of the terrible 
power of money to suppress truth and cover crime. That and 
that alone stays me in this maniac prison. The man who poss- 
esses wealth possesses power, but it is power to do evil as well 
as good. 



Feb. 24. 
The beauties of this lovely morning are the result of Divine 
skill. They are complete in themselves ; to be enjoyed, the 
mind must be in harmony with them. Obedience acts upon the 
mind like an inspiration, and God grant this, Thy holy day, that 
deeds of charity, kindness, justice to all may be renewed in the 
hearts of men, thus giving power and wisdom to men to assist 
the widow and fatherless, to open the prison door to the upright 
and pure in heart and life. 

*' Mankind is slow, but God is swift, 
And they who give Him oar 
On Truth's blue billows are adrift, 

Ere others launch from shore. 
Ho, brethren on the crystal tide. 

At no far distant time. 
The masses shall be at your side. 
In sympathy sublime !" 

E. R. HILL. 



Feb. 25, 1878. 

My spirit is shrouded in gloom this morning, crushing my 
life out like a worm at the root. 

O God ! open the eyes and understanding of my friends that 
they may hasten to me with honest and manly spirits, deter- 
mined to release me from this maniac prison. Hasten, O God, 
the fresh hour of relief, when my fellow-men will grapple this 
wicked persecution, and with legal force, with one mighty effort, 
release me from all persecution and malice of the North Brook- 
field railroad and De Bevoise mob, and restore me to my cottage 
home and its blessings, thus making my heart leap with joy. 

ELIZABETH R. HILL. 



40 

Worcester Hospital, Feb. 27, ISVS. 
Messrs. Trustees, Superintendent, and Doctors : 

Gentlemen — Six weeks to-day since I have been in this Insane 
prison. Gentlemen, this bright, spring-like morning, when na- 
ture beams in sunlight beauty, and you and your household are 
enjoying the out-door exercise, can you not bestow a God-like 
duty upon a lady who has appealed to you in divers ways to 
give me a helping hand at this time of legal persecution 
emergency ? Gentlemen, you will do me great discredit 
to even think that I (E. R. Hill) would disabuse any assistance 
you might give me in discharging me from this retreat. And 
whatever your advice might or may be to me in regard to un- 
justness of the court proceedings, in their transactions of the 
several cases pending of which you have been informed, and my 
book explains, I would most gladly receive any direction as 
kindly as any sister, wife, or daughter, whose every desire is for 
peace, purity, and godliness. 

And, sirs, are not the best principles of man made manifest 
in their interest to help others, to give them a start, to relieve 
their shackles, to get them above-board ? Oh, sirs, do not leave 
me longer to struggle and tug under this burden, which I cannot 
throw off without your special assistance ! 

To me gentlemen there is something mysterious why I am 
not permitted the right of statute and human investigation, and 
I have appealed to you as men of honor to see and investigate 
into my several persecutions set forth in my book, to do as 
those stubborn facts demand, if you were in my place. Would 
you have your property taken to make others rich, illegally ? 
Would you be taken from yonr own property without warrant 
or cause, and put into a lock-up and let out like a beast, black- 
mailed to destroy your character ? Would you be deprived of 
the right of getting your living honorably, laboriously, and with 
guarded, wise frugality ? Would you have your property burned 
by incendiaries and then be deprived of the privilege of finding 
out who the firebug was, if possible ? Would you think it right 
to have a walnut-tree nuisance, that is, the picking, clubbing, 
throwing stones upon a walnut tree, to fall upon your loved, 
lost, beautiful children's grave, thus desecrating the most sacred 
of all places on earth ? Would you like to be imprisoned be- 



41 

cause you tried within the pale of statute law to remove said 
nuisance from your holy of holiest consecrated grave plot and 
lot ? Would you like to have the men who imprisoned you 
illegally, perhaj^s, bail you out without your consent, and dis- 
pose of you by chicanery, placing you in a lunatic retreat? 

Would you like to be deprived of your home by those who 
have never guided, directed, nor helped you in any way to get 
together your property, or even visited you, nor cared for you, 
even when you sought them; and they gave no heed — not so 
much as a bow was given — then have them put you away from 
your sacred home comforts, to cover the above-mentioned ques- 
tion fi'om investigation. 

Dr. Eastman questioned me in regard to the price of my book, 
issued Dec. 29, 1877. Gentlemen, I made a careful contract, 
fulfilled it, and enlarged said contract and fulfilled the same. 
And, gentlemen, I can prove by all concerned my capability 
for business, as being shrewd, wise, most careful of expense to 
be avoided, ever planning my purposes beforehand, weighing 
them with great caution, as I alone must lose or gain financially 
by my literary attempts, which my circumstances and persecution 
have caused me to set forth, instead of recourse to the courts, 
where I as a woman am despised because of my truth and 
uprightness — has not the least possible chance to vindicate her- 
self against money, and which rules with powerful sway to cover 
crime. And, gentlemen, I ask for nothing but truth as it is 
before Almighty God, and I can bring proof to your Honorable 
Body by friends who know me, at home and abroad — that is, 
across that river that empties into the Atlantic. 

But oh, gentlemen, let no time be lost in vain attempts for 
subterfuge to cover the sins of those men; but know, fully and 
distinctly, that have I no hope for remuneration than what I 
might gain by a Worcester tedious court, myself to pay the 
necessary bills and then have w^hat might be decreed by petty 
jury. I should say let me have what I know I have in peace and 
quiet in my own little home, which needs me to-day using my 
ability to restoi-e that building they have destroyed ! and even 
they accused me, report has it, it was my work ! 

Gentlemen, I do implore you to demand of Luther Deland 
that he answer to that charge of crime, report has it, he has 
blackmailed me — E. R. Hill. Gentlemen, that accounts for 



42 

telegrams not being answered. You must see how little said 
Luther has done for me in cases before this last insurance black- 
mail. That he has held the office of deputy-sheriff too long is 
self-evident to one who is acquainted with the blood, that a 
little extra advancement in position acts detrimental to their 
mental organization. His mother, uncle, and aunts have died 
insane. Therefore, with charity I shall deal with said person, 
for I have evidence of his weakening faculties manifested by 
his injudicious acts and sayings. And I further declare I have 
meant and did wish the investigation of the appealed case of 
Sept. 14, 1878. 

The doings of the court are convincing to me they were not 
willing me to have statute investigation. The De Bevoise 
case I wish settled, not by a farce court like the 14th of Sep. 
tember, but one, first and last, in the Superior Court ; which 
has been denied me. And, gentlemen, I have no money to be 
taken by their illegal manipulations of the law. I do not need 
any advice on the railroad case ; that is in safe deposit. And, 
sirs, my absence from my home is a financial loss to me. My 
work needs doing now before spring work begins, and as I can 
prove by my past life, there is no one more capable of manag- 
ing, restoring, and bringing round crooked, disarranged affairs, 
and almost making the " desert waste bud and blossom like the 
rose." 



Dr. Tyler has not been a guide nor adviser, but he is my 
brother, whom I could forgive and never dig up the wound, but 
I could never desire him as an adviser, never, no never ; but 
could ever treat him as though the past were not, so far as cher- 
ishing ill-feelings is concerned. I cannot talk about my affairs 
with those who would wrong the widow and orphan ! My every 
desire is for truth and honor, and I have never, no never com- 
pounded nor practised hypocrisy in its various phases ; but, 
with high spirit, turned from all wrong-doing in public, private, 
or whatever situation I have, by the mysterir>us Providence of 
God, been called to pass through. I do not ignore my right to be 
released from my unjust, inhuman burdens or shackles the wicked 
have or may bind me with, and I beg you to break the shackles, 
open the prison-door, and tell E. R. Hill to go to her home. 

E. R. HILL. 



43 

Worcester Hospital, March 2, 1878. 

My father, David Tyler, North Brookfield, was borne to the 
silent tomb fourteen years ago to-day* The services were at- 
tended by the Rev. St. John, Fniversalist minister of this city. 
That beautiful, placid countenance of my loved father in that 
rosewood casket, so still in death, I see as clear as if before me 
this day ; and God grant that sanctified, father spirit may 
come from the throne of God and rest upon his daughter, Eliza- 
beth in this maniac prison. Oh, give her of Thy holy spirit 
■wisdom and power as it is and has been given to those in bonds 
through the sedition of men, and to make this rod of affliction 
hedged in by thorns given by man to me as a scourge be made 
a weapon of strength, through the infinite love of my father and 
my father's God ! May it bring reform to our courts, and cause 
an overthrow of all in authority of statute laws who do not 
abide by its precepts, as they are set forth to be in harmony with 

the Divine commands. 

E. R. HILL. 



Above sketch of my father's death, written just before 
going out to breakfast the last time with those weak, incoherent, 
mental lost women. " Oh, God, come quick, I pray, and release 
me. Come, God of truth, come !" Thus I constantly prayed 
there. About 10 A.M., William Gile, attorney-at-law (to 
whom I sent a letter the day previous), came to my captive 
abode and called to see me, &c. The servant on the ward in 
which I was held captive came to me and asked how I sent this 
letter to Esquire Gile ? I told her to tell the M.D.'s, God sent 
me a messenger, and more to say to the same men that you were 
not instrumental in sending for said Gile, Esq., and for further 
information they would have to wait till they get home to God. 
Esquire Gile inquired and found I had not manifested insanity, 
&c., and came into my room and told me Judge Chapin wished 
me released, and said Judge opposed bitterly my being sent to 
said Asylum without court of some of my neighbors; but was 
overruled, as it seems, by the Railroad DeBevoise mob. Esquire 
Gile then proceeded to get papers from Probate Court for my 
release, and said Gile had me taken from said captivity about 
4:30 P. M. of March 2, 1878, anniversary of my father's burial 



44 

Said Gile accompanied me home to North Brookfield, stopping 
at my neighbor (at my request), Mr. Haston, the same house 
and friends I was carried to by the perjurer Both well, January 
5, and taken from January 7 to jail. Mr. and Mrs. Haston were 
just sitting down to tea table as Esquire Gile and I entered that 
home. Oh reader, imagine for a moment that meeting. I had 
written three as good letters to be sent them from that maniac 
ark as ever I wrote in my life. Said Haston never received 
one of them, but with great anxiety would inquire of my situa- 
tion, and Warren Tyler and bonum Nye would speak of me as 
hopelessly insane. Think, reader, of that blasphemous, black- 
mailing, lying of those men. And, reader, not two hours before 
Esquire Gile and Elizabeth R. Hill entered that attractive, 
beautiful home of said Haston, who had just come from little 
bonum magnum Nye, to know how I was; and, reader, that 
bonum magnum Nye told Mr. Haston : " Mrs. Hill is very 
wild; it will be a long time before she will be here again, if 
ever." And Mr. Haston had but just rehearsed that damnable 
of all lies of Nye's to his wife about E. R. Hill. Mr. and 
Mrs. Haston were as surjDrised to see me enter as if one had 
descended from above, they said. I ask candidly, reader, if the 
lie Ananias and Sapphira told, which, according to Scripture, 
God caused them to fall dead, where will Nye — Tyler yet get 
swift retribution ? I was as much a lunatic then as ever I had 
been, and the person is not on earth under heaven among 
men, that could say I ever was, and speak the truth. And that 
Railroad DeBevoise Mob maliciously placed me there to keep 
me from bringing them to legal tribunal. Of course, at Mr. 
Haston's, we were full of talk, Mr. and Mrs. Pope and family 
were all glad to see me home again. The above letters written 
in captivity and the letters I wrote for patients getting them 
out to their homes, and the many scenes of horror I had wit- 
nessed held them unweary listeners. 

Next morning was Sabbath, March 3. After breakfast I 
went to Walnut Grove Cemetery, where my four loved-lost 
beautiful boys lie in the grave so low; and to my father's, 
mother's. Brothers AVilliam's, Albert's, and Charlotte's graves — 
passing my cottage home and the house of my birth. On retui-n- 
ing I went into my house (which had been vacant since Sep- 
tember 27), the barn burned, my yard strewed with burnt tim- 



46 

bers, and boxes of goods part burned strewed in every direction. 
Nothing except what one wanted had been picked up — the rest 
looked an incendiary field — the very results of the Railroad 
DeBevoise Mob. I was up in my parlor looking at my dead 
boy's picture, in the very room where the funeral service of 
three of my beautiful boys had been held. I heard man's steps, 
I went to the basement, and there stood Warren Tyler, M.D., 
who had aided my imprisonment. His face, every muscle 
twitching with fiendish anger, and same kind of voice says : 
" How come you home here ?" I replied I came here because 
it's my home, and my right to be here from which I have been 
kept by conspirators. He advances, as if to clutch me, saying : 
"Tell me how you got here?" I said I guess if it is Sunday 
you can find out what lawyer has obtained my release from that 
fearful hell, which you and others had falsely imprisoned me 
in. Warren wilted; in another moment with clenched fist 
upraised, he says : " You report false imprisonment, and I hear of 
it, I will have you back again in less than forty-eight hours." I 
stood my ground well; but oh, I ought to have been a man then, 
just a few minutes. No more. 

Monday, 4th inst., Warren Tyler and Gabriel DeBevoise are 
riding together past the window I am sitting at. They are in 
perplexed, deep, anxious conversation, as if, plain written, what 
shall we do? And all those who caused this malicious im- 
prisonment of me (E. R. Hill) were asking: "How did she get 
out?" "I should like to know how she got out. How did she 
get out ? " And more crest fallen two legged species of manhood 
never was seen according to report than that Railroad DeBe- 
Aoise mob were. And at the great merriment of my friends, 
which I must say, some were a little weak in the backbone to say 
what they thought. And as for me, I felt the waters of Jordan, 
Abannar, and Parphar could not wash and soak out the stench 
I had inhaled into my system, and give me back my vigorous 
strength which had been reduced by being kept from out-door 
exercise and from the sun, and in that terrible poisoning air to 
me. Everything in that maniac ark is calculated to destroy a 
well, noble, pure-minded person. Thus I was crushed, and in 
God's time and way, with the wisdom He should give me, I set 
about soaking, purging myself of what had been inoculated into 
me in that maniac hell, from which to which I can never think 



46 

but with disgust and horror. And I pray Almighty God to 
bring upon every one their every word and act with which those 
malignant men falsely imprisoned me there. And if there is a 
God of justice and truth, it will come upon them. 

Tuesday, 5th. — I went over to my cottage home, built fires in 
the stoves to dry and also to ventilate my house — Mrs. Haston 
assisting me to get ready to go to New York. I left there about 
4 P.M., and went to Mr. Charles Kittridge, where Bothwell ar- 
rested me. And oh, how good it is to meet friends! I stayed 
over night. Next morning Mrs. Kittridges, with carriage, con- 
veyed me to East Brookficld depot. There I buy ticket for that 
Worcester city, to insurance man, to get my moiety of insurance. 
It is paid, and I remove my insurance to another Company. I 
then pay Esq. Gile, for getting me out of that captivity, which 
cost me to get out, $49.50. I then went to Savings Bank in 
Mechanic Hall Building, and withdrew from said bank my de- 
posit of $450, losing mj^ interest on the same since January. I 
then proceed on to that Courthouse where all the chicanery had 
been consummated, and made copy of Grand Jury indictment, 
and of the application of Co. Commissioners, heretofore printed, 
and was at the Great Union depot, Worcester, at 7 P.M. of said 
6tli inst., with my ticket bought for New York Steamboat train, 
arriving in New York next day — 7th inst. — ab^ut 6 A.M. I 
proceeded at once where my collaterals were held, and paid my 
bill, and also went to my dear friend, who seems so like Mrs. 
Beecher, who died in 1870, and paid her 810, due. I called on 
several friends; each and every one rejoiced to see me, and hear 
my late facts of my terrible captivity, returning home on the 
4.30 steamboat train to Worcester, thence on the street to 
Esq. Gile's office ; I found the train had gone which I 
meant to meet, and returned to my home at once. Esq. Gile 
said I could go up on 10 o'clock express. I told him that train 
did not stop at East Brookfield; he jsersisted it did. I told him 
Bates had had it changed then since my captivity, but Gile was 
mistaken, and my conveyance landed me at West Brookfield. I 
called at Mr. Adolphus Hampleton's, whose sons and daughters 
had been under my instruction many terms, and people of high, 
noble I'cpute. How much soul there was in our greeting! . . . 
They were greatly surprised to think, amid all my persecutions 
in that fearful captivity, I could write such letters as I read 



47 

them. . . . And I will interpolate here the letter of 
Feb. 20, 1 read to Dr. Quimby. He told me after reading it, that 
some twenty to thirty senators, representatives, and doctors 
were going to pass through this hall in about one hour. (This 
hall was between two wards.) M.D. says, " Stay here, and ask 
them to hear your petition for release." Accordingly, when the 
room was full, I rose from my seat, and said, " Gentlemen, will 
you please hear this letter read I hold in my hand, which I wrote 
yesterday." Those who had not seen me there were surprised — if 
face-expression ever speaks truth — at my presence there, as any 
candid person might know. After reading. Dr. Hooper says, 
" We must see Gabriel at once." With tone, I hope, will be 
visited upon his own head, in God's time — a half talented M.D., 
not much to answer for to be sure; and a Col. Washburn, who 
has name of one wing of that maniac hell — he is also made of 
money, not brains — he did not notice the reading. Others 
were anxious to know the whole story. And report has it, tliat 
letter caused a law to be passed that session in the Bos- 
ton Legislature, that no person should be imprisoned to suppress 
or stop lawsuits hereafter, etc. The Superintendent of provisions 
for that maniac ark was Daniel W. Bemis, a scholar of mine in 
1842. He said to some senator, as they pahsed me, " This is, 
or was, my teacher when a boy." I replied, " And as much in- 
sane then as now." He says, " It will not be very long before 
you will get out. Court stojjs soon.^^ The first time I saw D, W. 
B. after my captivity, he told me to keep up good spirits, I 
should not be there long. I said, " I wish to go to-morrow be- 
fore the Grand Jury." Bemis says, " Those men who put you 
here wo'nt let you." I asked him if Worcester courts had be- 
come tlius corrupt, that this most fearful of all inquisitions 
should be given me, because I wished to have the crimes, theft, 
hlackmail, incendiarism investigated, as statutes provide? Bemis 
says, " Mrs. Hill, if I was in your place, as quick as you get out 
I would sell my property in North Brooktield, and find a home 
where I could live in peace." I said, " That I shall not do. 
On that principle every thief, highwayman, incendiary, ought to 
be allowed free access wherever their devilish purposes lead 
them. And no highwayman or assassin is guilty of a greater 
crime than those who have caused my incarceration here. My 
home and that of my fathers, is sacred to me, and no place could 



48 

I live alone but where my loved children were born, sickened, 
and died. Every spot and place is sacred in memory's hall. My 
children seem about me at home. Oh, my sacred, quiet, loved 
home ! how I long for thee !" 

Mr. Bemis I used to see once a week generally, and he always 
said, " Keep up good courage, you will be out soon." Oh ! but 
Bemis little knew the terrible plot of those two-legged species 
of manhood Every one of them would have gladly kept me there 
till I died, with as mucb exultation as any savage ever scalped 
a white victim. And those men's chagrin at not ending my life, 
and thus keep me from telling this inquisition of the nineteenth 
century, which will be as much history a few years hence as 
Massachusetts Salem witchcraft. 

Reader, it is worthy of consideration whether jjersecution by 
torture, imprisonment, or any kind of inquisition ever was bene- 
ficial to the morals of society ? And, readers, I have never, 
throughout my past life done any act, thought, or word, which 
should deprive me of my liberty or my rights. I have always 
been law abiding, and I have endeavored always to speak the 
truth, and the truth only. And my statements upon these pages 
are correct, and I only exercise the rights of an American citizen, 
which the North Brookfield Railroad DeBevoise persecutors 
have, and are deiDriving me of. And every libel attached to 
my name has been done on the same principle that John Han- 
cock was arrested in Boston, on a "misdemeanor" in 1768. 

King George III. spoke in his Parliament of the patriots of 
Boston as "those turbulent and seditious persons." It was 
moved in Parliament to address the king " to bring to condign 
punishment " such men as Otis, Adams, and Hancock. Chief 
Justice Hutchinson declared Samuel Adams " the greatest in- 
cendiary in the king's dominions." True, Samuel Adams lit a 
fire which burned not only in Boston, but throughout New Eng- 
land and all the American colonies, until freedom reigned. 
And is that freedom to be trampled under foot by illegal rail- 
road corporations, in the last quarter of the nineteenth century? 
Samuel Adams declared " Acts of Parliament against natural 
equity are void." Almighty God ! raise up men to declare the 
decisions of the modern courts, which are against natural 
equity, void. 

I Avill here inform my readers of the two faces W. Tyler, M. D., 



49 

wore in this my persecution. When the mob had E. R. H. in 
the lock-up, W. T. was asked why he did not get me out at 
once ? Tyler said it would make trouble with his wife. Again, 
Avhen E. R. H. was on the railroad train for Worcester jail, 
Warren Tyler told conductor Bryant these words: "Mrs. Hill 
has always taken care of herself without help, and she will 
now." Other said at times, W. T. would talk as if he were my 
brother and again as an enemy. Many men and women have 
told me when it was reported that the mob had made a transfer 
to the lunatic abode, Warren T was questioned why ? W. T. said 
" E. R. H. is not crazy at all, but we have sent her to that asy- 
lum to put an end to my having law suits." Others would in- 
terrogate my imprisonment. W. T. would sjicak sympatheti- 
cally for me, and aver I was treated thus because I told Bates 
and his posse too many truths, and they would not stand it. 
And thus W. T. made those people believe he was not the cause 
in any way of my imprisonment. And, readers, since it has 
actually offended those people when I told them W. T. and 
Gabriel did more then any others in the work. After said con- 
spirators had me in the insane hell, Warren Tyler set about to get 
a guardian over E. H. R. But the perjurer could not get one, 
but was told E. R. H. was more capable than they of taking 
care of my property. 

And report has it that W. T. had to pay all costs of that 
plot, etc., out of his own pocket. Yes, and it would be justice 
if his every dollar were filched from him and others, as they have 
conspired to take from me and mine. 

I will say I wrote a letter to my son, L. K. Hill, Centreville, 
Wayne Co., Ind., on the third day I was in that terrible maniac 
hell and read it to Dr. Eastman, Superintendent, asking him if he 
would mail it to my son. The doctor told me he would, and 
that letter was never received by my son. I had written true 
statements of my terrible imprisonment by Warren Tyler and 
others. Tears dropped from Eastman's eyes as I read the fear- 
ful tale. I also found on coming to New York, that the letters 
I wrote and gave to Superintendent Marble, of schools in Wor- 
cester city, to mail, were never received. On my retiu'n from 
New York, January 8, 1878, I called on Marble and Davis, and 
asked where those letters were I gave them in my captivity to 
send to parties in New York. Oh ! how crestfallen thus to be 



50 

brought to conviction. I demanded my letters. They gave 
them up. I then told Davis it was a pity he could not see the 
broom put over his own daughters' back in her mental lost con- 
dition. And, sir, I have stood many times between her and the 
upraised broom. When I gave you and Marble the letters I did 
not know that the Davis girl was your daughter; neither did I 
know that at that very time Superintendent Marble was " put- 
ting away his wife." Had I known those facts you men would 
not have had those letters. And you further have proved your 
readiness to aid the mob. Marble I always had respected when 
meeting him at teachers' institutes. 1 now pity his put-away 
wife. 

West Upton, August 30, 1875. 
Elizabeth R. Hill: 

In looking over my letters this morning, I found yours of 
August 6, unopened. It must have been received in my 
absence and overlooked. This is my apology for not answer- 
ing your note at once. 

Before the Commissioners can act in your case a petition 
must be presented to them in open session, describing the land 
taken, and on that a motion must be legally served on the 
Railroad corporation, a time appointed for the hearing, and so 
forth. We shall be in session next Friday, October 3, in Wor- 
cester, when you can present your petition. 

With respect, Velorious Taft. 



WestUptox, September, 11, 1875. 
Elizabeth R. Hill : 

Yours of the 11th inst. is at hand. We made the appointment at 
the Town Hall, because it is a public place and we must meet 
somewhere. W^e shall open the court there, take a view of the 
land in question and then the further hearing can be heard at 
your house or any other proper place that you may suggest. 
There will be no need of you being at the Town house, as all 
that will be done there will be an opening of the court and an 
adjurnment to the land taken. 

Witfi respect, Velorious Taft, 

Chairman of Commissioners. 



51 

North Beookfield, September 9, 1875. 
Messrs. Bacon, Hopkins and Bacon: 

Gentlemen, Cannot the hearing be at my residence ? I have a 
reception room 16^ feet square, and am on the main road from 
North to East Brookfield, two-thirds of the distance from the 
Town Hall to my land. 

I did not think of the notoriety which must attend my going 
to the Hall etc., which is appalling to me. 

I supposed the commissioners come quietly and appraise the 
property without prejudice, " as informed." Are those direc- 
tors and the Town people all to be present at the hearing ? If so 
I wish to be early informed. My residence is far the most suit- 
able place for the hearing, and I pray that there the interview 
will be. The commissioners meet October 14, on the roads, etc. 
Is my hearing to be the 15th of this month, or next ? 

The contractor told me yesterday, the Railroad on my land 
will be all completed ready for sleepers etc., this week. 

I have not spoken to any one that I am to have an hearing, 
and shall not iinless legally ordered. 

Respectfully, E. R. Hill. 



August 6th. 
On the third day of October, A.D. 1875, Elizabeth R. Hill 
filed her petition before the Honorable County Commissioners 
of the said county, praying them to assess your petitioner's dam- 
ages in the premises, and to order all such culverts, cattle guards, 
and crossings and obstructions as were necessary and proper to 
be made by said Railroad Comj^any, and that they give security 
for your petitioner's damages and costs. And a hearing was 
had thereafter on said petition on the 15th day of October, A.D. 
1875, after due notice to all the parties ; and the said Commis- 
sioners, on the first day of December, 1875, completed and re- 
turned their award in the Clerk's office of said county, awarding 
your petitioner a sum of money in damages which your petitioner 
considers insufficient compensation for her damage ; and the said 
Commissioners also ordered that said corporation should con- 
struct a grade crossing at grade across said railroad, near the 
souih end of the second tract aforesaid, for the purpose of en- 
abling the said Hill, her heirs and assigns, to transfer their crops 
growing on said lands, the same to be properly planked on both 



52 

sides of said crossing, which is forever to be maintained by said 
company, and bars to be erected or gates each side of said cross- 
ing, and said bars or gates to be forever maintained by said 
company, all of which is in addition to said sum of money so 
aAvarded. 

And your petitioner says she is aggrieved by the doings of the 
Commissioners in the premises, and asks that she may have trial 
by a jury at the bar of your honorable court, and that your 
petitioner's damage may be assessed by said jury, and that she 
may have sucli other relief as the case requires. 

ELIZABETH R. HILL, 

By P. C. Bacon, her Att'y. 

"WoECESTEE, Nov. 29th, 1876. 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, 

WORCESTEE, S. S. : 

Office of the Clerks of the Superior Court at Worcester. 
In Vacation, November 29th, A.D. 1876. 
On the petition aforesaid it is ordered, That the petitioner no- 
tify the said Noith Brookficld Railroad Company to appear at 
the Term of this Court, to be holden at Worcester aforesaid, on 
the first Monday of March next, by serving said company with 
an attested copy of said petition and this order, thirty days at 
least before the sittings of said court, that said company may 
then and there show cause why the prayer of said petition should 

not be granted. 

Attest' 

JOSEPH NASON, Clerk. 

1955. 

E. R. HILL, 

Petition, 

vs. 

NORTH BROOKFIELD R. R. CO., 

For a Jury Trial 

Before Sup. Court. 

Filed, Nov. 29th, 1876. 

Attest : 

,T. MASON, Clerk. 

BACON, HOPKINS, BACON. 



53 

No. Brookfield, May 6th, 1876. 
North Brookfield R. H. Directors — Addressed : 

Sirs — I herewith enter complaint to you, that the fence uj)on 
both sides of the entire length of the North Brookfield R. R., 
cutting my two mowings into right and obtuse angles (the pro- 
file of which you have upon the North Brookfield R. R. chart), 
removing heavy stone wall, despoiling the location, and ruining 
my income from said moAvings, and rendering them unsafe for 
the j^rotection of cattle, or the entrance of the same, or building 
thereon. Also obstructing the drive way between my walnut- 
grove and lower mowing, "which the County Commissioners 
have directed you to grade," the copy of the same you have. I 
remonstrated with you, directors and selectmen, before you en- 
croached and severed my land, against such a proceeding. You 
gave no heed to my legal warning. In open defiance to my ap- 
peal and the statutes, you took possession, removed, obstructed, 
and debarred me — yes, robbed me of my own legal rights. And^ 
Sirs, you will take heed to my complaint, that you must comply 
with the Revised Statutes of 18'74, page 220 to 225. And if you 
neglect to comply with the provisions there named, you will be 
subjected to the fine named in sect. 84, page 224 and 225. 
And you must not permit Freeman Walker, a deadly enemy to 
me, to act as committee, or negotiate in any way conceivable in 
this my R. R. proceeding, 

I remain, 

ELIZABETH R. HILL. 



North Brookfield, Aug. 30th, 1877. 

To the Treasurer of North Brookfield : 

I hereby give notice that I pay the tax assessed upon me for 
this year under protest, and consider the same unjust and 
illegal. 

E. R. HILL. 



54 

SUPERIOR COURT. 

WoRCESTEB, s. s. : Dec. 5th, 1877. 

Eliz, R. Hill, Pet., 
vs. 
North Brookfield R. R. Co. 

We petitioner moves their case be placed at the foot of the 
trial list of this term — to take place at the March term trial list — 
with this understanding, that it is not to be tried at this term. 

ELIZ. R. HILL, 

By her Att'y, 

W. H. B. HoPKi?fs, 

Specially. 



I will ask my readers to think of me clearing up the ruins of 
that incendiary fire, and not one effort on the part of the town, 
oniy the " form printed and posted, offering $500 reward for the 
detection of the incendiary." No notice was taken of the par- 
ties who ought to have been, and whom I desired to have the 
Insurance Co. investigate ; and I have had this loss. No remu- 
neration or aid, but this small pittance of insurance. But those 
who caused that fire may an Omniscient God bring to justice. 
And, oh, to find my large, deep box, containing my autobiogra- 
phy and other important documents and memorials, gone from 
my sacred room. And scores of other valuables filched from my 
house, was hard to bear. I often say it seems a great wrong that 
all fire bugs, thieves, libelers, assassins, highwaymen, perjurers, 
liar?, cannot be struck right off, like Lot's wife, and many oth- 
ers. It's my opinion the earth then would soon get moralized. 

But to be on my own land in my own house was happiness 
(notwithstanding the terrible pollution). As fast as my strength 
would permit, I tried to make repairs. I sickened, but few ad- 
ministered aid. One's friends and foes in such times of need are 
plainly seen. My enemies on the part of women, which are rep- 
resentatives of households, are those who through envy of my 
straightforward, educative, truthful abilities, renders me unpop- 
ular in their eyes, &c. Reader, I am obliged to say the above, 
for it is truth. And I say it as the afllicted Job in the Scripture 
replied to Bildad and others, his wife not excepted. 



55 

First Monday in April after my return from captivity, I went 
to town meeting as reporter — the position I had held since Dec, 

1874. That I was expected was evident; the very Lombard, 
who had so gentlemanly seated me before, stood with South worth 
at the entrance of the hall, one hand on attic door (or gcd- 
/e?'^), speaking hurriedly : "Mrs. Hill, you must be seated up 
stairs," I made no reply ; passed up (which act to this minute 
I regret), and such hatred, vindictive expression, as was on H. 
Knight, C. Adams, Jr., Freeman Walker, Bates, Bothweli, and 
some others, I shall remember till I meet them at the throne of 
God. The effluvia arising from tobacco, &c., soon caused me to 
withdraw. I often have wondered if men wrangled in other 
town meetings as is the case in N. Brookfield. 

I did my own business as before captivity. And it was a very 
notable fact, those men who had caused my captivity and loss 
(with exception of two) would raise their hat in bowing, and 
more, which to me merited a cool return. In May I had notice 
of my father's sister Hannah's death, 96 years of age. I at- 
tended the funeral, for I had the greatest respect for her, as all 
others did who knew her. Her life was single, but virtue, in- 
tegrity, activity, gave her length of days. My grandfather, 
Captain Moses Tyler, was one of the most noted, public spirited 
and influential men of his day, are the sayings of Freeman 
Walker who knew him. That funeral service of my aged aunt 
is in memory's-hall. During the summer months I sold some of 
my Histories, at the great chagrin of T. C. Bates ; he has tried 
every way not to have people purchase them. In words of the 
late Curtis Stoddard and other notables, the facts, truths, therein 
stated are too much for the unscrupulous T. C. B., who is climbing 
the ladder of wealth by the ruin of others, though he does 
many very worthy acts; but to those who know him it is his 
self-aggrandizement, not love to mankind, that gives for no re- 
turn. Bates gives to buy office, power. Ambition rules him 
with such sway, were the bygones of two centuries ago now, many 
heads would be off that now are on shoulders. But the modern 
Bates and contemporaries have a worse inquisition, in my opinion, 
which is to dispose of those who interrogate their illegal acts by 
placing them in a lunatic hell. It was said of T. C. Bates in 

1875, when the North Brooktield R, R. was in construction, he 
was actually mentally upset at two different times, owing to ex- 



56 

cessive mental labor. His wife also, it was feared, would be 
crazy at the time of the death of her mother, who died at an 
insane retreat^ and had been there confined once or twice before 
this last sickness. T. C. B. has a pretty daughter, born about 
the time of its grandmother's death. It would be quite natural 
result if insanit}' should yet be the cup T. C. Bates will yet drink 
to its dregs. 

I will here sj^eak again of Gabriel. One Friday evening, the 
first week in May after my eaplivity, I was standing at the grave 
of my babes, and Gabriel came to his lot adjoining mine. An 
Irishman had felled those tbree old walnut trees, and not one 
left but Gabriel's ; Isaac May, committee, had told me just, 
before that Gabriel would not consent to have his tree cut. 
Saj'sMay, "It is a nuisance, and I have always said it. They all 
were." The expression on G. H. DeB.'sface was not, at this time 
at the grave of his late wife and daughter, grief, nor prayer 
meeting, but the comedian, comic trickster. He glibly says : 
" Good evening, Mrs. Hill." I looked at him, and said: "Gabriel, 
Committee May has just told me you will not consent to have 
that old walnut tree on your lot cut. You are part owner of 
that lot — 16 feet square — which is your only real estate ; on it 
stands a nuisance, Avhich is desired by others as well as myself to 
be cut down, for the trimming of which (by my monument man, 
which has been said by many, improvi-d its looks), you, Gabriel, 
have caused me to be imprisoned ; your own complaint to the 
town and committee ! The words of L. Brewer, committee, 
which you demanded, were, ' that they (the town) should prose- 
cute mc, or you would,' as they readily did. And you ga\ e the 
job. Now, Gabriel (he stands right still), you are going to 
prayer meeting ; now, when you get up to exhort and direct the 
sheep into the fold of Christ, and tell them the dangers and 
temptations in their path, you tell them what temptations you 
have this day been able to resist. Tell them that grave-yard 
committee have been trying to make you give consent that they 
may cut down your walnut tree on your grave lot, but you were 
enabled to resist them through Christ. Oh, Gabriel, see your 
spirit ; would not you be very likely to let a Railroad Co. take 
your real estate and despoil your beautiful house lots in open 
disregard to the statute form of taking lands for public purposes ? 
You are willing my property should be taken, worth thousands. 



57 

and have no equity, and you will not give up an old tree not 
worth $2, and the committee told you they would cut up the 
wood for you and deliver it to your door. Oh, how you shine in 
Christ's spirit ! Behold your garment ! ! ! " The Irishman 
heard what I said ; and when G. H. De B. passed by, says the 
man : " Mrs. Hill, your talk to him will put the axe to that tree 
to-morrow." Reader, in the morning G. H, De B. told May to 
cut the tree down. 

And that old 50 year old walnut tree was rotten, hollow, the 
whole length of its butt, worthless for timber or wood. I said 
to the wood cidter that inside rottenness of that tree is a perfect 
representation of the rotten emptiness of the religion of G. H. 
DeBevoise. 

Gabriel was remarried the memorable month he caused me to 
be imprisoned. A few weeks later I was at my babies' grave 
(which is a brick vault in the ground, in which is a marble shelf, 
above those babies' coffins, to rest my coffin on when my earthly 
work is done), with sickle, clipping grass, to make and keep the 
plot clean, neat, &c., for I loved to be there, thinking their spi- 
rits lingered round the spot, and as far as I was pure in spirit I 
could commune with them. . . . As I sat there living in 
sacred memory, of a sudden Gabriel and the new wife came up 
back of me, bringing some expensive bouquets to decorate the 
grave of his late wife, his wife taking the large bouquet from 
Gabriel's hands, saying, " Let me place it." Gabriel had made an 
attempt to stoop, and did not. I thought he had a stitch of lum- 
bago ; neither did he walk quite natural as he goes to bring an- 
other bouquet, his wife placing it also. No notice was taken of 
my presence. But I volunteered thus : " Mr. De Bevoise, you 
come here with beautiful flowers to place over your lost one's 
grave, and the passers-by will say how fragrant those flowers 
are. And you, sir, have done your mightiest to cover my babies' 
graves with disgrace, fragrant as if dipped from the bowels of 
hell." His wife steps forward, extends her hand, and says : " Mrs. 
Hill, you're mistaken; my husband is your friend." I said: 
" Mrs. De Bevoise, I know you are not knowing to what I mean.'' 
Mrs, De B. says : " I have heard." I said : " What you may have 
heard and the facts of the case are two difl'erent things. Your hus- 
band has caused me to be blackmailed, imprisoned as a criminal, 
and his motive was seltish, and to aid the illegal railroad out, if 



58 

possible, of their pit which their violations of statue had drawu 
them in. 

"And mj prayei'to an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God 
is — if he is a prayer-hearing God — to smite Gabriel II. De Bevoise 
with some physical calamity that will be made most public, and 
that I may know my jjrayer is answered. For God, in His mys- 
terious providence, is making me, a lone woman, a " battle axe." 
Men are against me, but I know God is for me, and will yet vin- 
dicate me — for my every desire for over fifty-two years has been 
truth, virtue, justice, and msrcy, doing all the good I could, ever 
doing as I would be done by ; speaking the truth at all times 
and in all places, and never violating statute laws of man or 
God. Come quick, Almighty God — come, smite Gabriel H. De 
Bevoise, and cause him to be removed from this my native town, 
which his selfish will has disgraced. Mrs. De Bevoise extended 
her hand again, saying : " Mrs. Hill, you are mistaken about my 
husband, and if you ever need help come to us." My soul re- 
coiled, and the Scripture passage found utterance ; thus, even so 
the devil made offer, but was not accepted. Gabriel spoke not 
one word, but looked an indescribable compound. 

I expect some readers will say the above is a vindictive spirit. 
But, reader, please remember I have been falsely imprisoned, 
blackmailed ; my property has been stolen, burned, and I am 
deprived of the rights of an American citizen. I therefore 
wrestle in agonizing prayer to an omnipotent GoM to plead my 
cause, and make men know, and feci, that man's extremity is 
God's opportunity. G. H. De Bevoise, on returning from said 
cemetery, as report had it, " in getting out of his business wagon, 
stepped out over the wheel," the horse starting at the same time, 
causing said Gabriel to be severely set down astride of the 
wheel, injuring him so badly that medical assistance was called 
to dress the unmentionable wound. Report had it, and newspa- 
pers also, that said Gabriel was a great sufferer, and exceedingly 
nervous. In two or three days said wound was lanced by Dr. 
W. Tyler, which discharged freely, thereby giving relief to said 
G., but like as a carbuncle keeps one upon a bed of suffering 
three or four or more months, that length of time and more 
was Gabriel H. De Bevoise kept with his unmentionable sickness, 
and it called forth many and many ludicrous remarks, and from 
his own church parishioners as well as others; they loudly af- 



59 

firmed that, in accordance with Sci'ipture, G. H. De Bevoise 
would have no scriptural right to preach in the synagogue, for 
he " was not without blemish." But some of his sisters in the 
church were heard to express " their grief at being unable to ad- 
minister to him in his sickness," but they "felt and knew it was 
a holy sickness." When those sisters' lamentations were told me, 
I remarked : " I hoped said sisters would thus feel toward every 
other man, young or old, who might be called to thus sicken, etc." 
And the ladies kept his bed showered with flowers to manifest 
their tender sympathies, I suppose ; and never in my life was 
there in my native town a sickness that made the " ha ! ha ! " — 
the ludicrous remarks, and the smirks at the mention of Gabriel's 
(unmentionable) sufl^erings, which the " men said must be most 
terrible." Fortunate for Gabriel he was at this time in full fel- 
lowship with the great infidel W. T., M.D. (and it is my opinion 
Gabriel never sought to change his unbelief); but was aiding, 
yes, crushing out the cause of Christ by his very acts. W. T. 
was indefatigable in his care of sufl'ering Gabriel — and W. T. 
told some of his lady frieyids how much he admired Mrs. De Be- 
voise. She has not one particle of false modesty ; she will take 
right hold and help dress that just as though it was a finger. 
And W. T. delayed a long time from going his Kansas journey, 
because he disliked to leave G. H. B. in other M.D.'s practice to 
draw off his water and dress his xcound of such public notoriety. 
Thus it was four months and more before Gabriel preached in 
the pulpit — and then but part of the day, because unable. But 
many of his churchmen, as well as outsiders, were discomforted 
and seeking his removal. Thus time wore on till winter, and 
" Gabriel by some mishap, report had it, fell, and broke that 
wound afresh, causing him, it was said, to be in danger." 

In fact there was danger, for most of his people were them- 
selves advising that he must ask for dismission. One of his 
church deacons told me these words: "It's no use for Mr. De 
Bevoise to attempt to preach here longer ; he is not going to be 
able to stand in the pulpit — we must have another pastor." 
A few weeks more only passed, and G. 11. De Bevoise was told 
to ask dismission, or he would be dismissed without his asking. 
Gabriel therefore sent in his resignation, which was unanimously 
accepted. But some cover must be used for him ; and so his 
friends caused to be printed their regret at his resignation. Thus 



60 

the man who hunted E. R. Hill into jail was, by an unmention- 
able sickness, asked by his own churchmen to resign his pastoral 
relations with that church in North Brookfield. For which God 
be praised ! He was doing more injury to orthodoxy than all the 
Ingersols or infidels that could be packed in said town. And I 
affirm it is not infidels who are killing orthodoxy. That church 
itself is doing the work. 

In Sept., ISTV, I wrote to the pastor of the Union Cong. 
Church, N. B., of which I had been a member since 1854, asking 
said church not to administer communion to S. Bothwell, who 
had fabricated the testimony he uttered against me Sept. 14, and 
praying said church to deal with him as the church covenant re- 
quires when a brother is offended, etc. Now see orthodox 
worth ! 

On my return from captivity some time in March, 1878, 1 had 
a letter brought to my door from said church by a little son of 
one of its deacons, said letter informing me that said church, Oct. 
4, 1877, voted to drop my name from their church membership, 
for the only reason assigned, I had withdrawn myself from its 
communion such a length of time. (The letter is at home.) That 
very "sister in Christ'' who had waited on, and done her part 
and more working to suj^port that church, when I ought to have 
been in bed with my husband, was without one word, visit, or 
act ever from one of its members to hold me and keep me in its 
sacred fold — but voted to drop E. R. Hill to sink or swim without 
their church profession assistance. But Bothwell they cherish as 
a boon, and I guess it will prove the foundation of that church was 
truly laid by the devi], as has often been said. I ask orthodoxy 
to look at the above church, and see what aids and makes infidels. 

In Sept., 1878, of court time, I was down to my land, the place 
of my birth, after some early apples. Standing upon those great 
doorsteps at my late father's house, I saw passing down on the 
railroad track twelve men on my first mowing. Nye and Luther 
Deland drove up to the gate a few feet from me, hitching their 
horse without speaking to me. I said to them : " What are all 
these men down here looking my land over for ? " Luther speaks : 
" What are you down hei'e for ? " Mrs. H. : "I am here, sir, on 
my own property, attending to my own business (I had a large 
basket of apples in my hands), and you, sirs, are trespassers on 
my property. It is a great pity you both could not be back in 



61 

the poor out-of-the-way sunken holes you were born and brought 
up in. But such is life." Reader, those men wei'e down again 
to appraise my R. R. damage, as they had said it should be set- 
tled this term of court. But I wrote to court to have said case 
put over, as my important witness was not in the United States. 
But I made every effort to get settlement without court after my 
terrible false imprisonment. Knowing from that plot no justice 
would be done me, I wrote letters offering to settle said claim at 
great sacrifice. 

My brother Moses, at this homestead, was at this time sued 
by Bacon, Hopkins & Bacon, for their services in his railroad 
suit; the homestead attached for sheriff's sale by L. P. Deland. 
That advertisement caused me to go and rescue my brother 
M., by p^iying said B. H. & B.'s bill and expense*, thus stopping 
said sale, which maddened Warren Tyler and his sister, as I 
have been told, more than anything else I ever did. They have 
not spoken or looked at me if they could avoid it since. 

Before that sale was pulled down, Bolhwell posted up another 
sheriff's sale of said homestead for taxes. I knew those taxes 
were paid. I was present at their payment, for I was just in 
from the cemetery from seeing the little stoue placed at babies' 
grave. Upon the top is Willie, Albert (little darlings), War- 
ren, Walter. Upon the side is my prayer : "Tread sofily ! The 
ground is holy. See whose grave she weepeth o'er ! Lo ! the simple 
superscription : Little Darlings — nothing more." I went to the 
home kitchen. Moses and Both well were counting the money to 
pay those taxes, and I saw Both well write a receipt. I started at 
once for the press and told them and Bothwell not to let that 
sale be posted again. Those taxes were paid, and would not 
be paid the second time. If Bothwell could have annihilated 
me he would done it then ; but his force was on the wane. I 
sought my brother. He knew he had paid his taxes, but could 
not find receipt, and Bothwell had not checked his name in the 
tax book. I said to my brother, M. : " Don't you stop looking 
for that receipt till you find it. It is in this house somewhere." 
I went home. In a few days my brother found his receipt, and 
thus Bothwell was prevented collecting those taxes a second 
time for his own pocket. And thus you see Bothwell had less 
money to aid that church ! 

The reader must pardon these items, for the last pages of this 



62 

book will show why they were written. And a few days more 
pass, and my brother, M. is sued again by Flynn, whose wife 
figures as " Eve." Said Flynn worked for my brother, one 
haying season, my brother paying the wife and husband money, 
farm products, use of horse and carriage — ovei-paying said 
Flynn's wages, but no settlement ; and that modern wife (Eve) 
meant to get the whole over again and more. 

I went over with my brother before Justice Duel, not expect- 
ing any hearing, as the time of work sued fur and all was false, 
as my brother could show. But on reaching said office, there 
sat L. C. Barnes, Esq., Flynn and wife, and J. Duncan. My 
brother had no book account, only items, time when paying, 
etc. Barnes opened the case for Fl_ynn, stating the year of said 
work, etc, I objected, as Flynn did not work for my bi-other 
that year. Barnes immediately says : " I mean such year. I 
repeat the warrant of bill entered for suit ; affirm otherwise," 
which Justice Duel gave Tyler. But the case went on — Flynn's 
wife denying generally. When Flynn came to be sworn, I said : 
" Flynn, think what it is to take a false oath ! " The man turned 
death pale and reeled. But Barnes prompted him. But my 
cross-questions bi'ought out the truth, and proved the pay- 
ments had been made. And what do you think ? Barnes ruled 
thus : " Mrs. Hill's questions were not directed to the Court, 
but drew from the plaintiff answers he did not mean ! And 
the Court must rule in favor of Flynn, because Tyler has no 
book account. And I want the Court to hurry up its decision, 
as I want to get out of this,'' And Duel gxve Barnes his wish, 
against true evidence, just because Moses Tyler had not his ac- 
count written in a book. Oh ! on what a slender thread some 
things hang. 

My brother went over ina few days and paid some twenty 
dollars or more, leaving unpaid less than ten dollars of that 
justice court demand ! Justice Duel telling Tyler to be sure, 
after this, to have a book account. 

That others were in troubled waters from and by people who 
wish to obtain what does not by right or title belong to them, 
showing also the ruling spirit in North Brookfield, at this De 
Bevoise, Bates, and others, railroad notoriety Little b, m. 
Nye is now figuring by his acts above law, except his own mak- 
ing. And thus attempts in the summer of 187b', to take from 



a war widow, Nichols, land her husband had owned by deed over 
thirty years ; said land adjoining an estate of B. M. Nye's 
nieces. Said Nye was also filching for land the property of the 
town. Mrs. Nichols had removed her front yard fence, leaving 
only the posts. B. M. Nye is suiweyor, and he went right into 
that front yard, tramping down flowers, placing his assumed 
boundaries to take part of said yard, also cutting off the drive 
way to Nichol's barn — thus involving said war widow Nichols 
in a lawsuit to defend her legally owned real estate. Nye's 
nieces, by his order, proceeded to draw stone to build a wall, 
as Nye saw fit to make a boundary. But the Batcheller shoe 
manufactory had a gang of men who took up the case, in order 
to save the war widow Nichols' real estate to her without the 
expense of modern courts. Said wall was being laid, when, lo ! 
one night some hundred men, with yoke of oxen, stone boats, 
and horse power, dragged off every stone, and tipped them, as it 
was said, into a mud pond ! Nye was going to prosecute. Prose- 
cute who ? 

Nye ordered more stones to be drawn, for his nieces' wall 
should be built, as he said. The big, heavy stones were again 
piled there, and again the night force came out and dragged 
every stone there placed into that mud pond pit ! 

There has been no wall attempt since. 

Thus B. M. Nye was subdued, and the widow saved in her 
right without the n:odcrn court taking all she had or more to 
save her from B. M. Nye's lawlessness. I ask, candidly, if it is 
not high time that courts are reformed, and thus give citizens 
their rights which are now taken as robbers in high positions 
see fit, they knowing the defendants cannot and have not money 
to be used in courts for their defence. 

Before the building of the N. B. R. K, in 1875, which made 
debt upon said town of five per cent, of her valuation, there had 
been great demand for more school room. The largest number 
of the citizens being Irish, sending most scholars to our schools, 
that nationality wanted school-houses located in their vicinity, 
in said North Brookfield village, which was overruled for fear of 
their creed, which was most unjust. Therefore sundry places 
were sought for school room, also an engine house, with the 
modern perquisites was needed. The firemen did not think the 
basement of our high school-house a suitable place for them to 



64 

meet and keep their fire appai'atus. Their argument was: 
" Build engine-house and thus make two school-rooms in that 
basement.'' Furthermore, they wanted a new engine and moi'e 
hose, and so forth, I will add, the need of more men of brains, 
too. Time wore on, and every town warrant would have those 
articles in it, which would be wrangled over till floored, for we 
could not build till more of our railroad debt is paid. The 
wrangle was kept up severely till one May morning in 1878, 
about High School-hour time, the fire-alarm sounds that High 
School building is on fire from basement to attic. The fire was 
such, the engine and hose could not be got out. The Batcheller 
Shoe Manufactory sending out their fire apparatus till joined 
by neighboring towns, whose aid did not reach us to be of ser- 
vice. Thus in less than two hours that school building, with its 
new chemical apparatus, ma2:)S, portraits, and piano, and all the 
scholars' books,' were in ashes. Save a few timbers ! Therefore 
a town warrant was posted to call a meeting in seven days to find 
or build school-room and build engine-house, purchase engine, 
hose, and all other necessary items, and furnish scholars with new 
books. Oh! the fire was thought to have caught near the fur- 
nace, near some chemicals somewhat combustible, for the school- 
house Avas locked! My pen will fail to describe that town meet- 
ing, but Bates was going to have a chance to be very efticient. 
He would attend to any business and give service in this emer- 
gency. And Bates did. Town meetings were often held to 
consider school building and engine-house plans, and costs of 
construction, and where to locate. In one of those wrangling 
meetings. Dr. Warren Tyler, who had been selectman during 
the past ten years (but had been dropped from that ofiice at 
last April Town Meeting), spoke of the towns trying to get 
lease of a large three-story, unoccupied shoe shop, within ten 
rods of the burnt High School building, thus giving more 
school room than we had before the fire, and at small expense 
compared with cost of a new house. 

Reader, the hissing and shouts of " Sit down," with hiss, at 
his most every sentence, was the scene. Warren Tyler, M.D., 
with every muscle twitching in his face (like the morning of 
March 3), replies to them : " This damned rabble of poll-tax 
payers and few others may hiss and shout till hell freezes over. 
I shall not be stopped nor set down by this hissing pack, who are 



65 

% 
having our town's proj^erty destroyed, to get buildings that they 

vote to build out of their poll-tax money, with few others as our 
raih'oad got birth. The same rabble want to get three per cent, 
of our valuation in a debt for a school house and appurtenances, 
and three per cent, more for engine-house and equipments; and 
it is high time this expense is stopped; and these meetings ought 
to be filled with men who have the burden to carry. I want 
school-room, and suitable rooms. When 1 was a boy the school- 
rooms were twenty-five feet square, with sixty and seventy 
scholars in attendance in winter, and in summer same ratio. 
These scholars were scholars, and have made and been our most 
honest, useful men and women. This rabble that is moved in 
here don't own anything but a few puny young ones that hardly 
know enough to go into the house out of tlie rain. They must 
have the most modern city-styled school-houses for their ninnies; 
and the vote of every sensible man must be cast against this 
rabble-determined, superfluous debt." . . . During the sum- 
mer the town built, under Bates & Co., a High School house 
upon the old stand, with six large school rooms, third floor High 
School room, with all appurtenances thereunto belonging; and 
also one large Engine-house, two stories high, equipped with new 
engine, hose, fire extinguisher, dressing-room, meeting-room, 
furnished off in style which must have exceeded their most san- 
guine expectations. 

During these days of town excitement I was busy trying 
to get my barn ruins removed, and my strength, of which I 
had been shorn. Just before the sitting of the Superior Court, 
in September, I received a letter from Gile, Esq , who obtained 
my release from captivity, stating that I must come to Wore, to 
make preparations for my case against the N. B. R. R. Co. I 
had told said Gile that if I needed couiisel in said case in 
Wore. I should like his services. 

I went to Wore, to see the records and make ready to have 
my case put over, etc. On entering the Clerk's room there 
stood Esquire Nelson, R. R. Defts. counsel Hopkins, and 
also Gile. I readily saw they were making arrangements, 
etc., as it might please Defts., as heretofore. The Clerk gave 
me my R. R. documents to copy, those gentlemen passing out. 
I said to Nelson I hoped to be able to get settlement with the 
R. R. Defts., He replied : " I should have done that years 



66 

ago," in bis biting way of speaking. I saw then in his spirit 
just what I wanted to find out. 

On opening the warrants I found Bacon, Hopkins & Bacon, 
Gile & Merrill, counsel on said case. I had written Bacon, 
Hopkins & Bacon in July, 1877, telling them I did not 
desire their services longer in my R. R. case (as Stoddard, 
King, "Whitings, Kittredge, had all counselled said firm in re- 
gard to their railroad claims, each party withdrawing from 
their arbitration). Bates & Nye, R. R. Defts., "would speak 
with their friends of what P. C. Bacon and Col. Hopkins told 
them," making those parties and myself feel as if those attor- 
neys were riding two horses. The horses were going in differ- 
ent directions; therefore the R. R. plaintiff's horse left those 
attorneys with the defendants' horse. Col. Hopkins replying 
in severest manner to me also, stating the firm withdraw from 
my R. R. case, and further counsel from them I could not 
have in any w ay. That was the reason of my letters and tele- 
grams to Wore. Court, etc., to j^ut over my case. 

I wrote to Judge Aldrich in December, 1877, when at 62 
Brooklyn Heights, to put over my case, as it was impossible by 
letter or telegram to get one word as to my lawsuits pending. 
No answer. The last time I met Judge Aldrich was at the 
American Teachers' Institute at Montpelier, Vt. From said 
place I went to White Mountains, July, 1877, and I thought 
the Judge a friend. Judge Aldrich did advise B., H. & B. to 
attend to my R. R. case in my absence, as Col. Hoi^kins told me 
after the same day of my meeting those men in the Clerk's room 
at Wore. My thanks to Judge P. E. A. for that humane act. . . . 
I also tried to find Henry Bacon, of that firm, said day, about 
my bank book, which had been kept from me when I presented 
it for payment, etc., in August, 1877, said H. B, making min- 
utes of the same. I was told H. B. was stopping at Hartford. 
Ever}' time I went to Wore, it was tedious. The very name of 
Wore. Courts will ever breed disgust, contempt, because of their 
illegal persecutions of me, E. R. Hill. 

Therefore I determined that, even at great sacrifice and loss, 
I would get my R. R. claims settled before December 
Court. I verbally applied to R. R. Directors for said claim to 
be settled. No notice. I then wrote offers of settlement, 
which were replied to as follows: 



67 

North Bkookfield, August 29, 1878. 
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hill: 

Dear Madam — Your letter of even date, to the President and 
Directors of the North Brookfield Railroad Co. was delivered at 
once to the President, who, on reading it, and being informed that 
you expressed a wish that it might, if jjossible, be considered be- 
fore the regular meeting next Saturday evening, called a special 
meeting this evening, at which, after discussion, it was voted 
to reject your offer to deed the land in controversy for the sum 
of seven hundred dollars. In the absence of the Secretary, the 
writer was appointed to communicate to you the action of the 
Board on the subject. 

Very respectfully, 

CHAS. ADAMS, Jr. 



North Brookfield, Sept. 3, 1878. 
Mrs. E. R. Hill, North Brookfield, Mass. : 

Madam — I am instructed by the Directors of the North 
Brookfield Railroad Company to inform you that your proposi- 
tion to settle your claims against this company, as made this 
day, is respectfully rejected. 

THEODORE C. BATES, 
Clerk of the Directors of the No. B. R. R. Co. 



My last personal attempt was at a meeting of the Railroad 
Directors, Saturday evening last, before the first Tuesday in 
December, 1878. There were present, T. C. Bates, B. M. N3^e, 
Alden -Bacheller, Freeman Walker, Chas. Adams, Jr., G. C. 
Lincoln; and E. R. Hill was in their presence alone, asking those 
men who had taken my land, my liberty, and tried their 
mightiest to blacken my character (reader, have you ever read 
Ivanhoe ? If so, see me as " Isaac and Rebekah,") to give me the 
sum of $550 (not one quarter pay for my damage to my 
property.) Nye refused quickly. I then said will you settle 
for $500. Defts., No! I said no such offer came from 
me, as pay for my land; it was to end the quarrel; they had my 
land and my labor and trouble during the building of that rail- 
road; and my terrible sufferings from their imprisoning me since 



68 

gives you this very small sum to pay if you will. Freeman 
Walker says, " I know you have had to suffer." The expression 
of Chas. Adams, Jr., so hard and relentless (but I have seen the 
same look in C, A., Jr., since, in the North Brookfield Ladies' 
Library quarrel with the town); T. C. Bates' eye I could not 
catch, neither would he seek proposal direct to me, but through 
Nye or Walker; Bacheller was silent; G. C. Lincoln would look 
at me with a boyish laugh, as if it were fun. The only offer I 
could get that eve was made, to give the Commissioners award 
with simple interest to date. 

I rose to leave the room, saying, if they should conclude to 
pay the small sum I had offered to receipt, I would like to have 
them do so and save me the trouble of going to Wore, to answer 
to my case when called on the list for trial next Tuesday. Chas. 
Adams, Jr., replied, " You can go to Wore, for we shall not make 
you another offer," with tone and look that covered even his words 
with muck. Tuesday I went down to court. The Clerk told me 
he would see my case answered " for trial," when called. Mj- 
case on the list for trial was the thirty-ninth; Clerk also saying 
he would write me when to come down for trial. Nye said to 
me, " Esq. Nelson said the case was first on the list to be tried, 
and it would be tried first." I did not demur, but coolly said 
the plaintiff was ready, be it first or last. 



WoECESTER, Mass., Dec. 11, 1878, 
Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hill, North Brookfield, Mass., No. 1955, 
will bo in order to-morrow. 

John A. Dana, Clerk. 



I had my own blood cousin, Stilman Dane, to accompany me 
to court and carry my parcels, and a very intelligent man. Dewey 
is on the bench, who had been my counsel, and had ever treated 
me with great esteem. Soon came in Hopkins, j^lain seen moves, 
and queries, " Who or where is Mrs. Hill's counsel ?'' Reader, 
I was fully prepared to meet my case. As my case was not 
likely to be reached that A.M., I passed into the waiting room. 
Incomes defendant's counsel. Nelson, and says, "Mrs. Hill, I 
hear you have offered to settle thus and so. I have just told the 



69 

railroad defendant I shall charge them .$150 to try the case, 
and I am going to have this case disposed of," and goes right on 
figuring so and so. "I will pay you 8650, and you must give 
deed." Mr. Dane says, " Take it," and I did. 

When Esquire Nelson drew the deed Nye had informed him 
the railroad was five rods wide. On his reading said deed I 
said: "Please insert eif/ltt9/ feet ior ihsit &Ye rods, as the profile 
of railroad claims." Nelson then gave Nye a biting query: 
" Why did you state five rods to me ? We've got all this to 
write over now ! " I had then an internal smile. At the N. B. 
depot stood Chas. Adams, Jr., and Mr. Montague, waiting the 
return of railroad President, B. M. Nye, from that court (and 
not one other person sent down as railroad defendant to that to 
be court). The train comes, and B. M. Nye and E. R. H are 
on the platform. Chas. A., Jr., and Mr. Montague lock arms 
with B. M. Nye, and walk off, with bent listening ear to know 
which, how, or when. Mrs. E. R. H. goes off lone to her sacred 
cottage home. All silently I enter. No welcoming hand greets 
me; but methinks I hear their gentle whispers floating in the 
ambient air. Home comforts ! how pure, how sacred ! Next 
morning, before 8 o'clock, B. M. Nye is at my residence to pay 
E. R. H. the 6650 and take that deed. When I handed that deed 
I said, "That deed is given -and was signed on the same ground 
that Whittlesy gave up the keys to the Northampton bank rob- 
bers. Father — mother — Almighty God ! witness this unjust 
obtained deed ! " And my tears flowed, and will ever well up 
from my heart at being compelled to surrender to robbery of 
land, liberty of speech, because its robbers are protected by 
forms (to the ignorant) called law. But no comments were 
heralded by the press only " Settlement had been made with E. 
R. Hill for land taken by N. B. R. R. Co., said company 
paying $650." Of course, with some of it was laughable to thiok 
after all defendant's threats, E. R. Hill, single-handed, had won 
the case. But revenge is what the N. B. R. R. Co. are man- 
ifesting in their every move toward E. R. H. 

Readers, there is not on earth a person who desires to see 
progress and the public interest promoted, and all in harmony 
with statute law and divine cominand more than E. R. H , 
whom that mob viciously continue to persecute. Many are the 
changes in our midst. The wheel of time rolls on, bringing the 



70 

" first, last — and the last, first." Mr. Clay was a superior High 
Scliool teacher for a number of terms in our town before the 
burning of said H. S. B., and after. But he, too, was envied. 
I never could see for what, reader, but his superiority and efii- 
ciency as a teacher. But he had to succumb, and leave for 
another school field, which gave him $1,800 instead of $1,500. 
Said Clay had incited in the spirit of his scholars the creed of a 
free public library and reading room, which many citizens had 
agitated, but were always defeated with, " We cannot have such 
a public expense added to our already burdened taxpayers" But 
the High School s?holarsgave public exhibitions, and, by solici- 
tation, obtained some $500, and caused an article to be inserted in 
town warrant, April, 1879, asking the town to furnish a free 
public reading room, and for donations for a free public library, 
which T. C. Bates most effectually aided by giving $500, E. A. 
Batcheller $1,000, Mr. Montague, $400, and others smaller sums. 
Thus those small beginnings were being consummated, and 
nothing remained but to find a suitable place for their library 
and reading room, which the money donated would purchase. 
Then up rose the North Brookfield Ladies' Library Association, 
which was formed in 1869, and by membership fees, sociables, 
*^xhibitions, and fairs, they had accumulated about 1,100 vol- 
umes. Citizens were privileged to take out books from said 
N. B. L. L. A. if they could pay $2 per year. That association 
was popular with the few, and when they found a free public 
library and reading room was going to be established at once, 
the N. B. L. L, A. presented their library to the town as a free 
public library, calling a town meeting to consider and accept 
the gift. 

As T. C. Bates was chairman and chief man against (this 
tongue war, for such it was), B. M. Nye, Chas. Adams, Jr., W. 
Tyler, G. H. De Be., and others, who were such active enemies 
to E. R. H., were now being held down by Bates and his force. 
The town voted to accept the N. B. L. L., but it was to be in 
rank secondary to the new purchased library by T. C. Bates 
and others. The N. B. L. L. A. were so offended they with- 
drew their offer if their library could not stand in historical 
archives as the first established T. F. P. L. in N. B. ! ! In every 
town warrant N. B. L. L. A. would have an article about their 
library, and its rights were advocated by those men who saw 



VI 

plainly if that library was not first in name neither would they 
ever have control of the new library. Thus great delays were' 
made in the purchase of our library, not knowing but some 
books would thus be duplicated if purchase was made before 
tlie proffered gifts were in the town's custody. Meeting after 
meeting, wrangle uj^on wrangle, which should be first in that 
library. In another town warrant the N, B. L. L. A. had an 
article giving that library the secoMd time, with some worded 
change in presentation, and Bates had the town's acceptance as 
before; and such small selfishness as was exhibited by C. A., Jr., 
and W. T., and others, over that library! If it had been on the 
auction block it would not have sold for $500 (nor half that, it 
was said). Those very men were wrangling motst disgracefully 
over their labor in purchasing their proffered gift, and not one 
among them had paid out five dollars from their own purse for 
those books. 

During those wrangles I sat a listener [never reporting, for 
the quarrel, truthfully stated, would have disgraced South Sea 
Islanders), and drew parallels between what those men had 
taken from me worth thousands of dollars, and see how they 
quarrel over that munificent gift oi 1,000 volumes , xho, largest 
half — two-thirds — wore out. After the town voted this second 
time to accej^t that proffered gift, W. T., M.D., rose and said: 
"The town has voted to accept our library, but you have not got it 
yet;'' and unyielding remarks came from C. Adams, Jr., with 
same face and manner he a few months before bestowed upon 
the lone widow and fatherless. Rev. Hewes spoke, I heard, re- 
peatedly, " that man ought to be took and put in a lock-uj) 
every time he speaks here." On going out of the hall I heard 
*' that library shall be given in ashts before it shall be placed 
second to the other." Therefore said N. B. L. L. A. withdrew 
their proffered gift the second time, and soon after donated and 
sent said books to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky. When it 
was reported to me the N. B. L. L. was thus donated and gone, 
I said: " Believing, I rejoice to know that quarrel is removed." 
The North Brookficld Free Public Library and Reading Room 
was first opened to the public November 26, 18V9. I Avas at 
the opening, and I thought this new institution would contri- 
bute most effectually to aid and encourage our youth to obtain 
useful knowledge. The Free Public Library department was 



72 

not opened to the public until Aj^ril 1, 1880. I was the first 
there. Both rooms are open to the public every afternoon and 
evening in the year, except Sunday, the library containing two 
thousand or more volumes, and no place was more gratifying to 
me than to see the young and old deeply absorbed in reading 
the newspapers, jjeriodicals, and magazines as I frequented our 
Free Public Reading Room and Library. 

A most notable fact, tho^e men and theirs who were mem- 
bers of the late N. B. L. L. A. are not ever present. And I 
know it has been a great annoyance to that late Association 
that I was in full fellowship with this new, great advantageous 
institution, not favoring that selfish N. B. L. L. A. 

My barn walls stand a monument still. In September, 1880> 
I employed Peter Carter & Brother to build an " L " to my 
house, giving me wood-house and other rooms that were fin- 
ished off my lost barn. My house was repainted and varnished 
in every part. I bought all the timber, windows, and paint. 
Every item used I negotiated and paid for, making my sacred 
home doubly dear. In fact it almost seemed hard to go from 
my house even on a daytrijj to "Worcester, where I jDurchased my 
windows and blinds, and also trying to get my bank-book which 
was taken from me in August, 1877. Said book I obtained in 
1861 by investing seventy-five dollars in Foster Street Savings 
Bank, and had taken out twenty-five dollars and interest, this 
fifty dollars remaining since 1863. In 1874 a mortgage was 
paid I held of $1,100. I left the same with P. C. Bacon, Esq , 
to invest in such savings bank as he thouo-ht best. Said 
B. invested 8500 in this same bank on Foster street. I did not 
think then nor after anything about it, as my other book had 
laid away to accumulate for other purposes. That time came, 
I jDresented my bank book and it was taken and kept, the man 
saying: " "We never give two books." I said I had two, P. C. 
Bacon getting my last. Those bank robbers have my book 
and money yet. The man who kept my bank book has since 
hung himself. 

I have repeatedly made demands for my bank book. Henry 
Deland and D. Whiting often telling me there were so many 
ways in which the bank could manipulate, I would be best off 
to let it go. But there is, and ever will be, a determination on 
my part to get my money out of that bank. I went to ^ C. 



73 

Bacon the very hour of its being taken and told him the case. 
He was very excited at its rehearsal and nervously said: "You 
are always in a fuss. I can't do anything about it ! It will cost 
you thrice as much to get it as its value. You versus that bank ! 
You can't do anything! " His son Henry came in, saying, "What's 
up?" I told him. He put on his hat and said : "I'll go with 
you and make minutes," and he did. And then he says to me: 
" You write to the directors of said bank." I did, and here is 
their reply: 

AVoRCESTER County Institution for Savings, 
Worcester, Mass., August 21, 1877. 

Mrs. E. R. Hill, North Brookfield: 

Your application in relation to a deposit book claimed by you 
was placed before the Board of Investment at their meeting 
last evening. The Board believe that the books of the institu- 
tion afford conclusive evidence of the payment of the deposit 
to you, and instruct me to notify you that they decline to 
accede to the request contained in your communication to them 
of the 14th inst. Very respectfully, 

J. Henry Hill, 
Secretary Worcester Co. Ins. for Savings. 



After my captivity I went into Foster Street S. Bank and 
called for my book, taking John Gilman with me as witness. 
Calling for my book, an old man there, by name of Hamilton, 
would not produce it, till Gilman says : " I wish to see it. I have 
always known Mrs. Hill, and I never knew her in any way but the 
most upright, steadfast woman I ever knew." Hamilton smirk- 
ingly said: " The papers don't say so." Gilman says: " What has 
been said in the papers are lies, and I demand to see that book 
and books with Mrs. Hill." Hamilton brought my book and 
theirs, showing to Gilman. Gilman saw at once figures looked as 
if tampered with, and to me it was i^lain as my nose on my face. 
I have been there twice since — the last time the first week in 
February, 1881 — telling them I should at once bring suit if said 
bank did not pay me in full. They smilingly said, " We have no 
time now." Hamilton died alone, shortly after his insult to me 
before Gilman. Thus one bankman hung himself, and the other 



died suddenly. My counsel was ready to bi'ing suit the week I was 
obliged to leave my sacred home, and said counsel said he would 
get everj^ cent due me in that bank. And Almighty God help 
me to get it yet is my prayer. Bates at this time had obtained 
the jDosition of bank director in Worcester; and a bank president 
of the Fii'st National in Worcester is under great disgrace with 
woman vs. Avife. Pond was one other great bank thief in Wor- 
cester, but he is in State prison for twenty, more or less, years; 
and may all such get retribution ! 

T. C, Bates is about thirty-six or thirty-seven years of age, son 
of Elijah Bates, mechanic, who died some twenty years since. 
A hard-working man, and all of his family were notorious for 
the great amount of shoe-closing performed by this family of 
thirteen or eighteen children. Their shoe-closing gave more 
notoriety than other families, because in their great worldliness 
and haste they would send in lots of shoes with their counters 
and sidings part closed. In those days shoes were closed in 
clamps or at shoe-bench with awl and waxed thread. The 
father busy in making tables, stands, and coffins, in a two- 
story shop. Wealth, of course, rolled up from labor, and the 
father, who had, during the birth of all those children, lived in 
a very small, red one-story house, removed that house to where 
it now stands, and built a two-story house, which they occupied a 
iew years — and lo ! so many shavings scattered around in all 
directions, that house caught fire (by accident) and was burned 
to the gi'ound. E. B. rebuilds better than before, and tlie second 
bouse in a few years, by some kind of accident, is burned, 
E. B. rebuilds again, each time upon the same stand, and each 
time a better, more commodious house, and it still stands in 
T. C. Bates' name. The small barn of said Elijah Bates was 
also burned, but this fire happened to take pla(^e during a thun- 
der storm, and report had it, " burned by lightning." A very 
nice barn was rebuilt by E. Bates, which is now standing. That 
mechanic coffin shop of E. Bates also caught fire, and was burned 
to the ground, and has never been (needed) or replaced. T. C. 
Bates now has new gates and drive roads made in the late Bates' 
woods, making a place of pleasure resort just back of the resi- 
dence. T. C. Bates is now the ring-leader of N. B. " The 
boys" know just what B. and his subordinates want done, and 
it is done. Thirty years ago. North Brookfield, Mass., with its 



75 



old citizens, was distinguished for its educational, moral, reli- 
gious, straitforward, doing unto others as you would be done by. 
" Then N. B. had a minister, Dr. Thomas Snell, who preached 
and lived daily the precepts and examples of Christ, and 
Rev. Christopher Cushing and Rev. Wm. H. Beecher. Those 
three men were ministers of the Gospel. They are gone. Our 
fathers, our mothers, those noble men are gone, are all gone. 
Not even their mantle spirit rests there, but in a few places those 
pure "bloods" are now few indeed. 

They must not even be known if the modern citizens or mob 
conspirators wish them out of the way. Or if the pure blood 
live on land oi their fathers, and the modern citizens want it, 
without money or without price, all to be done is to get some 
new excitement breezing. And the " modern boys " and (they 
will carry the ballot-box in number) their leader will take land 
pews, oust out everyone who is in quiet enjoyment of their own 
legal rights, if it is thus desired by their leaders. New Brain- 
tree, East Brookfield, South Brookfield, Spencer, and West 
Brookfield, said towns bounding us on all sides. Those towns 
have had immense property destroyed by " incendiaries," and 
seldom has there been found the fire-bugs. The past year North 
Brookfield has been drinking that fire cup. I will mention one 
which to human beings was sad indeed. In December, 1S80, the 
barn, 100 feet by 60, of the late Erastus Hill, who died in Janu- 
ary, 1878, aged 69 — a wealthy citizen of the old blood — a staunch 
opposer of the men of N. B. R. R. (illegal birth), was burned to 
the ground with some thirteen head of cattle, hay, and farming 
tools, just after sunset. No clue to who did it, but as its loca- 
tion was where smoking abounds, it was thought the great pro- 
bability was an accident. The barn was the property of his son- 
in-law, fortunately well insured. Then comes one Sabbath, and 
Mr. K.'s two barns and their contents are burned to the ground, 
between North Brookfield and Spencer. Now comes Arthur 
Knight's livery stable right close to our Town House and Free 
Public Reading Room and Library. (I will interpolate our Town 
Hall public building has been burned three times in the last 
twenty-five years, and in one of those fires all of our public and 
historical records were consumed. And to-day those records of 
my birth, school teaching, and marriage, and the births of 
my three first children and other citizens of my young days and 



76 

of our fathers, were mingled in those ashes. Oh ! the scenes of 
my childhood, how I love thee!) But the fire was put out at 
9 P.M., for a great snowstorm was raging, with our new engine 
and fire extinguisher; the flames were subdued without burning or 
smoking our Free Public Reading Room and Library — had that 
barn burned down, that library and reading-room would have 
been smoked, soaked. Yes, our greatest public good would have 
been ruined. (I sj^eak of that library as our greatest blessing 
for young and old, and I mean it.) Those three churches (ortho- 
dox), with those ministers of late years — what are they? I ask, 
what ? I give an example of their " seed-sowing." Rev. 
Ilird, pastor of Union Cong. Church in N. B., heard of E. R. H. 
and her book, and sent to borrow one to read, etc. After read- 
ing said book he called church meetings (as report told me) ; 
hut Rev. Ulrd was silenced, etc. Rev. Hird sent word to 
E. R. H. that I had his sympathies, but his hands were tied. I 
smile — don't yoii ? Rev. Hird has not ever called on me since. 
Again the fire fiend is out. " Tho. Snell's (son of the late Rev. 
Dr. T. Suell,) barn is burned to the ground — part insured." 
Whose moonshine was that barn in ? Now comes " Widow A. 
Stoddard's barn and all therein, bitrned to the ground — insured." 
Then comes the late " Wm. Whiting's bai"n which is burned; but 
the occuj^ant saved his cattle." The papers still bring: " Failed 
attempts to burn C. P. Adams's store and box shop. There 
were bundles of shavings filled with kerosene found; some were 
on fire;" who wants different buildings ? Next comes " an attempt 
to burn the First Congregational Church. A bag of shavings 
filled with kerosene was hung between the window and blinds. 
They caught this specie of a man thirty years old. He denied it 
till after being in the lock-up fifteen hours — he confessed it was 
his work, but he was not going to set it fire — he only did it to 
get up a sensation. He was a member of that church and — its 
janitor." Next paper — " The Town's Custom House is burned 
with all its storage. The merchant'^ ^cell insured." What was 
the matter with that Custom House ? Next comes the two story 
new school house in Dist. No. 1, " set on fire, but saved with little 
damage, the fire being timely seen." Who wanted that altered 
or removed ? The " small buildings I have not mentioned." The 
above incidents in North Brookfield I found at RowelFs news 
room. Such vandalism, outlaw, perjury, blackmail, slander, 



77 

rampant in my native town ! ! ! Oh, what a curse ! Are there 
not righteous ones enough left to redeem that modern Sodom 
of sin ? 

L. E, Barnes, Esq., by petition of H. Green, was appointed 
guardian of a chronic insane widow of the late Horace Green, 
who died of paralysis in 1879. L. E. Barnes will wax fat in his 
new rich prospectus, as he may quirk the law. It has been often 
remarked of his legal ability, " That his mental capacity was 
far more fitted for his hen business of producing eggs for 
market, of marvelous size," as the papers inform us. Now that 
widow's farm of more than 200 acres will give him a nice chance 
to get fowls and hunt into every nest to find eggs of some de- 
scription. When, lo ! he finds that note of the late Green held 
against M. Tyler. Said lost note had been paid, etc. Green and 
Tyler were both farmers and great friends — always trading and 
dealing in their needs in the most friendly manner. Leonard 
Warren settled the late Green's estate, finding said lost note. 
L. Warren accordingly j^resented said note to M. Tyler, finding 
it had been paid — and that H. Green's estate was in debt to M. 
Tyler, said L. Warren, adm., telling M. Tyler to bring 
in his account. M. Tyler neglects, and L. Warren makes return 
of said Green's estate settled. 

Afterwards, Barnes, Esq., is guardian by a nephew's wish, 
Barnes now hunts every nest, his hand grasps the $50 note egg. 
He seeks Madam Flynn, and unites that unpaid court demand 
of $8 with this egg note of $50, and forthwith sues M. Tyler, 
and the homestead is posted again for Sheriff's sale, Feb. 26, 
1881, by Luther P. Deland. The advertisement our first infor- 
mation. I wrote Deland & Barnes at once, challenging " the 
sale of the homestead," as said real estate was not owned by 
M. Tyler at all; said Tyler had sold and given deed of said 
homestead more than a year since. Also, if Madam Flynn had 
claim against M. Tyler I hope she would at once seek M. Tyler 
and have friendly settlement. For there was no chance to col- 
lect from that homestead. Also, giving notice if Warren Tyler 
wanted the money on his mortgage upon said homestead, E. R. 
Hill will gladly cancel the same. I then personally called on L. 
E. Barnes to find what constituted his Flynn claim against M. 
Tyler. He referred me to the court for papers. I told him to 
explain and save me the trouble of going over to South Brook- 



IS 

field. He would not. I told him I feared Warren Tyler and 
H. P. Bartlett were interested in this suit, as Warren has ever 
wished to get control of the homestead, though not a child in 
the world; but two boys bear his name in full, both boys being 
of epileptic and lunatic descent. I told Barnes if W. T. had 
not made any inquiry of that sale, the reason was plain. And 
Esq. Barnes, I repeat to you, I would be glad to cancel W. 
Tyler's mortgage on said homestead and thus relieve Warren of 
any more anxiety. "I see," says Barnes, " you ax-e full of 
money, and you are not taxed anything either. Ready to pay 
the Dr. 's mortgage." And I said: "The one whom I did busi- 
ness for would furnish the money." B : " Nobody will believe 
that, and I am going to have you taxed hereafter." Hill: "I 
solemnly swear my property stands on valuation at higher value 
than any man's real estate on Elm street. And I am willing to 
be taxed as others, upon oath; and rejoice in the privilege of 
paying the widow's mite towards maintaining our Free Public 
Library and Reading room, and decorating the soldiers' 
graves," which said Barnes was noted for being against as 
illegal to decorate those soldiers' graves. And he was not 
willing to be taxed for it, etc. Barnes, W. Tyler, Bartlett, were 
in commotion, going to Worcester often, and an ax was evidently 
grinding. 

Ml". Chas. Kittredge sued the Town of North Brookfield in 
September, 1880, for their illegal railroad taxation. The 
waves began to heave, and vengence was written on the brows 
of those men who were to be defendants. Whenever I met any 
of said body, their look was " crush." I asked the meaning ? 
When told the above, I said: Mr. or Mrs. K. have not mentioned 
that to be for a year or more. Bates and Nye interviewing^ 
Kittredge's counsel (Hopkins & Briggs), asking them if they 
really meant suit, etc. Bates saying, "as report has it:" " He 
did not suppose there was a lawyer in Massachusetts who would 
bring that case against us." This railroad grudge is now issued 
in full force on E. R. Hill. We must get her out of the way. 
Mrs. Hill out of the way, we will dispose of Kittredge without 
gloves. She is their hope (which was not true). The plot 
is being deftly marked out as in 1877 by the same conspira- 
tors. Mi*s. Hill had beautified her home, was living in full en- 
joyment of its many sacred comforts. And more, she is in her 



79 

fruition of happiness in that Libi'ary — storing np knowledge 
(it had been said). That mob had till this time thought E. R. H* 
dead- minus decomposition. 

Friday, Feb, 11, 1881. — I called again at Barnes' "law office," 
he was not present. I wrote on postal card and left at P. O.r 
asking for interview with Barnes at 5 P.M. I then called at L. 
P. Deland's, and found out some facts of that " to be sale." In 
returning I called at Barnes' abode — saw his wife. Mrs. B. say-^ 
ing her husband had gone to Worcester, but would return on 
4:30 train. As I arrived at depot the train comes in. (Said 
depot is 60 rods perhaps from my sacred home.) Barnes and 
Tyler, M.D., step out of the cars in ha^te. I said to the agent, 
"Speak to Esq, Barnes " agent calls Barnes — "A lady here 
wishes to see you." B. turns, sees E. R. H., heads round, rush- 
ing off to Post Office. As I arrived at P. O. Barnes was coming 
out. I said : " Esq. Barnes, I wish to consult with you a few 
moments about that Flynn suit." Barnes replies in the most 
boorish manner thus : " Ge-go-go long — go way." E. R. H. 
repeats : " Go long — go way." Is that all the two-legged 
species can say ? 

Feb. 12.— I went to Boston on legal hank business. Returning 
I stopped at Worcester to see Hopkins and Briggs, Attorneys. 
Their office was closed; therefore I went to lion. E. B. Stod- 
dard's, Esq., showing the homestead deed (not recorded), and 
telling Stoddard I should take out a writ of review for my 
brother, and thus stop that sheriff's sale, as Madam Flynn and 
H. Green's estate were in debt some $100 and more to M. Tyler, 
and if Barnes could dig up dead bones the same was Tyler's 
privilege. As I went into E. B. S.'s office Adin Thayer, probate 
judge, passed out. Stoddard was very anxious in his manner^ 
causing me to ask why ? S. says I am thinking how much you 
have to see to and how they act with you, and says, I advise you 
to come down soon and make preparations against that sale." 
I told S. I should come Monday 14th. I did. On my return 
stopped at East Brookfiebl, and was carried by private team to 
Justice Duel's, South Brooktield, by C. H. Forbes, completing 
my arrangements for taking out " Writ of Review," for my 
brother M., arriving at my own residence 6 P.M. Most pleas- 
antly everything greets me in this my sacred resting place on 
earth. I sat enjoying my many most cosy comforts and reading 



80 

my newspapers till most ten o'clock. My door bell rings! 11 
An uncommon event at that hour ! ! ! " One never knows what 
sudden blow lies veiled in innocent blue of sky; and fate is 
ambushed Indian foe that creeps through calm and stillness 
nigh ; and sometimes swift misfortunes come with sandled feet 
and muffled drum: the foe ai*e crowding, stealthy serpents creep, 
preparing spring, and venomous leap, to snatch at freedom in 
our care as vipers creep from everglade to sting our children in 
the shade ! ! !" 

My door bell again rings hurriedly ; I ask " Who is at my 
door ?" the reply comes in low tones: " A friendly messenger 
— let me in quick ! " I ojien a wide entrance. The friend says: 
" Mrs. Hill, I come here to let you know a damnable j^lot is laid 
to stop you life here in this town.'''' I ask: ^^ what do you mean'^.'''' 
Reply: " Do as I tell you — it is your only safety from the plot 
of F. T. Blackmer and L. E. Barnes and others. » You must not 
remain in this house till morning, for F. T. Blackmer, Esq., 
Worcester, has applied to Probate Court (Adin Thayer, judge) 
to have you forthwith committed to the Insane Asylum in Wor- 
cester. Barnes had made oath to the papers this evening, and 
said Barnes, after making oath to said papers Feb. 14, 8 P.M., 
1881, was asked: "What are you doing that for?" Answer 
Barnes: " Mrs. Hill has been down to Ben Butler, Boston, to 
bring suit against F. T. Blackmer, Esq., for what he said of 
Mrs. Hill in Donahue's Court — for lohich she ought to be hung, 
and think of her trying to stop my sheriff sale — but we will stop 
her at once, and Lave no more annoyance from her in law 
courts or anywhere else. Two M. D.'s are coming from Wor- 
cester on the 7:30 A.M. train, to see Mrs. Hill as soon as out of 
bed, and we will have her in the Asylum before noon to- 
morrow." 

"All plans are now made, but just getting the body of E. R 
Hill ; and she will not get out again as she did before, and Dr. 
Tyler says Mrs. Hill has annoyed him and the town long enough 
We shall have her sure to-morrow, for they say she has a ter 
rible cold, and will not be likely to be from home to-morrow 
That is my haste." And Barnes goes off with his perjured war 
rant with exultation. Reader, I still breathe after that most 
terrible of all plots being told me. A pause at length. I said 
" Is it possible I have again got to leave my sacred home, so 



pure, so fresh and new, which at this time my cup ot happiness 
was replete in its new comforts ? and have I again got to leave 
all to that malignant mob in ambush ? " Oh ! Almighty God, 
what is Thy purpose ? Thou sendest me this messenger. Oh, 
God, give me strength — also guide, oh, guide me, Thou Great 
Jehovah. I shut the draught to my stove, set to gather my pa- 
pers, and with pocket handkerchiefs dress myself in my wannest 
garments, and with a good-bye-look at my sacred emblems, pass 
out from my home in haste, hoping to reach the homestead be- 
fore brother would perhaps be asleep. I wake my brother and 
tell him my warning — he reels. I hold him up. " Faint not in 
this awful hour ! but hasten with me to East Brookfield." We 
reach there — and while the sleigh is being made ready to convey 
E. R. Hill to Worcester, my brother says: "What is going to 
become of me ? " I said : " Moses, I shall put these papers 
and book account into H. W. King, Esq.'s hands. That sheriff's 
sale will be stopped, as I have this day accomplished that, and 
King will stop proceedings. By having this writ of review 
served on Deland before that 10 A.M., 26th of Feb., 1881 (that 
sheriff sale of the homestead was thus stayed), and do the best 
you can. Take out my daily newspapers from P.O., and see to 
my property with Mr. Haston. Good-bye! good-bye!" 12 
midnight. — M. stands and looks at his sister leaving East Brook- 
field, the wife of the man wrapping her thick circular about me, 
placing hot stones at my feet. The husband takes the reins. 
We are wrapped close, for it is cold. The husband says: " Good 
night, Tyler. Keep up good spirit. We have the whip row of 
those devils. Wife, I shall get home by noon to-morrow." We 
reach Worcester, stopping at Mrs. E. Peck and Holbrook's, 
No. 10 Pearl street, 3 A.M. 

About 10 A.M. I sent messenger for II. W. King, Esq., to 
come and see me, giving him my brother's btjok account against 
Flynn and Green, and papers telling him to serve that writ of 
review before that sale, etc., etc., and sending my keys of my 
house and all thereni to Mr. Haston, with writing what to do, 
telling them how I was driven from my sacred home by con- 
spirators who were going to take my liberty — far worse than 
murder ! And I believe those men will yet be ranked in history 
co-equals with midnight assassins, highway robbers, and pirates of 
the seas. I leave Worcester at 5 P.M., Feb. 15, and Elizabeth R. 



82 

Hill's name is registered at Grand Union Hotel, New York, at 11 
o'clock P.M. Thus for my liberty I am driven by malignant 
conspirators into another State, paying one dollar per day for 
room, besides cost of board and other incidentals. Thus shut 
out of my nice home, full of comforts, I demand that those men 
be dealt with as conspirators, and compelled to restore me my 
money for my great expenses and other losses more than hun- 
dred fold, and that they be hereafter compelled to keep the 
peace towards E. R. Hill, that she may in safety occupy and en- 
joy her legal citizen's rights and property in North Brookfield, 
Brookfield, Mass. 

I wrote home, first of May, for two trunks to be filled and for- 
warded to Elizabeth R. Hill, Grand Central Depot, N. Y., by 
freight ; keys to be sent by letter. My keys came on the 3d in- 
stant. A way-bill I at last found at Pier 25, on the 7th instant. 
No trunks ! I wrote twice to East Brookfield, Mass., depot 
agent, to send me way-bill, and if those trunks were forwarded 
as I ordered? No reply. I wrote to my brother and Mr. Has- 
ton, on the 10th instant. Haston went to East Brookfield to see 
that Superintendent that S. told hiin " I had got my trunks. She 
will make a fuss — she's got her trunks ! " 



General Office New Haven Steamers, 
Piers 25 and 26 E. R., 

New York, May 13, 1881. 
Madam — We have not yet succeeded in finding your trunks, 
but expect to hear from them this afternoon. 

Yours truly, 

WM. SCOTT, Agent. 

Mrs. E. R. Hill, Grand Union Hotel, 
4th Avenue and 42d St., City. 



Reader, I found my trunks on the 13th instant at Pier 25, 
with not one label on either trunk to tell whose, what, or 
where ! ! ! The super said they came thus. I said: " Why did 
they come here ? Why did not those trunks go to Ohio, Maine, 
or Virginia? My leather trunk had been broken open — the 



83 

upper part of the lock in the bottom of^tbe trunk, and all there- 
in in mash jam ! — many articles covered with road dirt, and 
many articles they wrote me were sent therein gone ! Both 
trunks were strapped very tight. 

Not hearing from E. BrookfieM, only the above lie is circum- 
stantial proof my trunks' labels were scratched off and ransacked 
at E. B. or its vicinity. For T. C. Bates rules, and he evidently 
means to keep Mrs. Hill in some trouble till they kill her. I have 
paid thousands of dollars car fare, and never had any trouble 
in my travels with baggage, but always had the very kindest of 
attention till since 1876. T. C. Bates and his contemporaries 
have been the cause of all ill-treatment and trouble with baggage 
in my travel on cars within their various forwarding custody. 
B. M. Nye told me in 1877, as we met on R. R. track in N. B., 
"that the R. R. Co. weren't agoing to let me walk on that track 
without paying," and he meant it. I told him my property was 
the sinking fund; that " that R. R. track was laid on to give 
you, the title president free rides," and build up the few arbit- 
ors of said R. R. T. C. Bates has got to be State R. R director. 
Has our R. R. corporation got to have such men rule in future ? 
If so, let out the bank robbers from prison, and give t4iem back 
their positions. But I say no! Stop Bates, Black raer, Barnes, 
Nye, Tyler, and others, and give them their just merits with 
Pond and his contemporaries ! 

There was an "Act" passed in Mass. Legislature in 1878 said 
by Bates and his contemporaries, giving constables power to seize 
and put in lock-up (whoever they wish, I suppose); then, after- 
wards, take out warrant against their captive ! ! ! Was not that 
" Act" passed purposely to cover those Cons., who had com- 
mitted that crime many times in North Brookiield, Mass., before 
that heinous Act had birth ? Again, in 1880, that (had it not 
ought to be called Salem witchcraft) Mass. Legislature passed 
an Act more diabolical than any Act upon Constitutional Re- 
cords ? was this most inhuman Act made to cover G. IL De 
Bevoise, B. Nye, T. C. Bates, W. Tyler, Oramel Martin's illegal 
perjury, malicious false imprisonment of Elizabeth R. Hill, Jan. 
5, 1878? And thus to enable those men and others in their 
likeness hereafter to have law at their command to seize the body 
and bring into contumely and prison any ojie who may displease 
or in any way question their doings or sayings. 



LAWS AND RESOLVES. [Chap. 250.] 

An Act concerning the Commitment and Transfer of Luna- 
tics. 
Be it enacted, c&c, as follows : 

Sec. 1. Whenever an application for the commitment of an 
alleged lunatic or insane person to any lunatic hospital or asylum 
shall be made, accompanied with tlie statement of the applicant 
required by law, the. judge or justice having jurisdiction in the 
premises may thereupon, and after hearing such other evidence 
as he may deem " proper, issue a warrant for the apprehension 
and bringing before him of the alleged lunatic or insane person, 
if, in the judgment of such judge or justice, the condition or 
conduct of such person seems to render it necessaiy or proper to 
do so for the safety of such person, or for due examination and 
hearing in the premises. Such warrant may be directed to and 
be served by a private person named in said warrant, as well as 
a qualified officer ; and pending examination and hearing sueli 
order may be made concerning the care, custody, or confinement 
of such alleged lunatic or insane person as the judge or justice 
shall see fit. 

Sec. 3. The fees of tlie judge or justice shall be as follows : 
For hearing and determining the application and filing papers, 
in cases where the alleged lunatic is brought before him, three 
dollars. 

Sec. 7. This act shall take efi:ect upon its passage. [^4/> 
f roved April 24, 1880.] 

The time has arrived when the above inquisitors have " their 
law " now to dispose of Mrs. E. R. Hill, and thereby she will 
be heard of no more ; and like a lightning flash we will consign 
her to oblivion. But Almighty God sent the bolt, thus warning 
the victim to escape the killing flash. There are, I know, judges, 
lawyers, and men who are in God's image in Mass. I appeal to 
you, gentlemen, to have those two heinous " Acts" above men- 
tioned repealed the next legislature ; and F. T. Blackmer, Esq., 
Wore. ; L. E. Barnes and W. Tyler, N. B., punished as their 
perjury and vicious purpose against E. R. H., merits. The 
State ought now to agitate against those Acts from center to 
circumference. And may Almighty God give ear and re- 
volutionize those laws, is the agonizing prayer of Elizabeth R. 
Hill, who has for her liberty been driven from her sacred cozy 
home at 42 Elm Street, North Brookfield, Mass., and thus enable 
me to return in safety to my home comforts and joys, and there, 
hereafter be protected from those trespassing conspirators. 
In truth and sincerity I remain, yours 

ELIZABETH R. HILL, 
At Grand Union Hotel, 42d St. and 4th Ave., 
New York, N. Y. 



LB N '10 



